Saint Emma Monastery

Saint Emma Monastery, established in 1931, is a Roman Catholic retreat house and monastery situated in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. It serves as a home for the Sisters of Saint Benedict of Westmoreland County. The monastery's origins trace back to the post-World War I era when the Abbey of Benedictine Nuns of Saint Walpurga in Bavaria experienced a surge in vocations. To address this growth and support Saint Vincent Archabbey, which was facing financial difficulties, a contingent of ten sisters and Mother Leonarda Fitz OSB journeyed from Bavaria to Western Pennsylvania, arriving on Walpurgis Night in 1931.

Initially, the sisters at Saint Emma assisted the archabbey. However, with the onset of World War II, Mother Leonarda was guided to secure independent property for their community. Under her direction, they purchased a property in 1943, with an adjacent farm acquired by the archabbey in 1944. The monastery played a significant role in the early establishment of the Diocese of Greensburg, created in 1951. The first bishop, Rev. Hugh Lamb, resided at Saint Emma's during the initial organizational phases, and the monastery also functioned as the diocesan chancery for its first year.

Further development of the monastery included the construction of a retreat house in 1954. The community expanded its living quarters with the building of the first monastery wing in 1960 and a second wing in 1963. Reflecting evolving practices, the sisters began praying the Liturgy of the Hours in English in 1961. The current Prioress of Saint Emma Monastery is Mother Mary Anne Noll OSB.