Louise Forschner was born at Parma, Ohio on January 30, 1870, of German-born parents. She had been a successful teacher in Ohio schools when she entered at Clyde on December 28, 1902 at the age of thirty-two. Reared in a fashionable society she brought with her the current style of a train on her skirts, which, needless to say, soon disappeared. She was invested with the religious habit on April 21, 1903 and made her first profession as Sister M. Benedicta on May 26, 1904. Perpetual vows were made on January 13, 1912.

Sister was a serious, prayerful person, with a refreshing sense of humor. Her academic knowledge of German proved a great help to Father Lukas Etlin in editing "Tabernacle and Purgatory" from the time she entered until 1916. She also contributed to the preparation of booklets and leaflets, which enjoyed a wide sale for years. Even when appointed prefectress of St. Joseph's Academy in 1909 she continued to assist Father Lukas in translating German articles into correct English and was responsible for the final proof-reading. This assignment she continued also as Director of Postulants and Novices. She was Subprioress at Clyde from 1927 to 1928.

Sister was gifted with a good voice and sang with the schola for many years. Her love for the beauty of the divine service was evidenced by her taking time almost daily to practice for proper rendition of the Gregorian Chant which was then used almost exclusively for the Mass and Office.

When our first dependent priory was opened at Mundelein in 1928, Sister M. Benedicta was appointed its first Prioress, chosen for her exemplary religious spirit and fervent devotedness to our primary duty of Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Her brothers Thomas and Anthony, and Thomas' devoted wife, Grace, were generous benefactors of the Mundelein convent from the beginning, especially during the depression in the 1930's. Anthony purchased the original ten acres of property from Cardinal Mundelein as a site for the convent. Sister M. Benedicta never referred to this for her whole life was characterized by an humble, retiring disposition.

As the years passed Sister developed a malignant condition, which gradually spread through her whole system. She suffered much, but bore all with great patience. Having become critically ill, she was removed to the hospital in Waukegan, Illinois where she died on the feast of the Solemnity of St. Benedict, July 11, 1934 at the age of sixty- four.