After World War I, the Abbey of Benedictine Nuns of Saint Walpurga in Eichstätt, Bavaria experienced a rapid increase of vocations.

At the same time, Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, was in debt, in part due to the Wall Street crash of 1929.

Mother Leonarda Fitz OSB and ten sisters from Bavaria arrived in Western Pennsylvania on Walpurgis Night (February 25), 1931.

After the onset of World War II, Mother Leonarda received instruction "to look out for yourselves".

Under the direction of Mother Leonarda, the sisters purchased a property for St. Emma Monastery and Retreat House from John Robertshaw Sr. in 1943.