Diocesan native 'overwhelmed' by election to global leadership position

By DAWN PROSSER
Director of Communications
 
“I am an ordinary Midwest girl,” Sister Rosann Ocken, OSB, a diocesan native humbly said of her new leadership role.
 
Sister Rosann, current prioress of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters in Norfolk, was recently elected as the 14^th prioress general of the worldwide congregation. She will move to Rome to begin her six-year leadership term in January 2025 in Rome after her Jan. 20 installation. The prioress is the first American to be elected to the position.
 
Sister Rosann was not anticipating to be elected as prioress general. The prioress explained that every six years, delegates from the communities around the world gather at their central administrative building in Rome. This fall there were 45 sisters involved in the meetings when the election was held.
 
“We met for six weeks. In the middle of this, we have the election process. So, I was present and on hand when I was elected,” the prioress said. “I was overwhelmed and surprised. It was like a blur.”
 
Following her election, the delegates headed to the Vatican for the daily audience where the Benedictine prioress general-elect encountered Pope Francis.
 
“Because of my new position, I was given a front place and he gave me a lovely blessing,” she said. “We were allowed a picture with the Holy Father.”
 
Responsibilities of the new prioress general will include serving as the official representative of the congregation with the Vatican.
 

Eighth grade graduation from St. Rose of Lima School, Denison

Sister Rosann said she will also be overseeing “the spiritual life and governance” of the worldwide congregation. The prioress pointed out there are 1,200 sisters serving on four continents in 16 different countries. Also, there are 12 priories around the world, which serve as “central mission stations.”

 The prioress said she has great faith in God’s plans for her in the new role with the community, and she has great faith in the newly-elected leadership team.
 
“I feel confident that the council team that was elected is really, really capable. One of my gifts is that I am a team worker,” she said noting she will work with superiors from around the world. “It’s going to be my (task) to work with them, trust them and collaborate with them.”
 
The prioress said she has mixed emotions regarding leaving the Norfolk Benedictine community when she moves to Rome this winter.
 
“I believe that God will supply what we all need. What I need to do is take on this position and what this community needs to do is carry on,” she said. “It’s really a journey of deep trust and confidence in God’s love for us.”
 
Diocesan roots
Sister Rosann grew up in Breda and moved to Denison at the age of 7. The future Benedictine sister graduated from St. Rose of Lima Grade School before the family moved to Colorado.

 

Sister's first Communion

After graduating from Douglas County High School in Castle Rock, Colorado in 1969, she entered the Benedictine Missionary Sisters community in Norfolk. The example of four aunts in the Benedictine community greatly influenced her decision. 

“When I was discerning my vocation, I chose to come to Norfolk because I knew the sisters and I knew they were happy,” the prioress recalled of her vocation journey.
 
Sister Rosann had her first profession in 1972, final vows in 1975. She attended Creighton University in Omaha and earned a Bachelor of Science in education and a graduate degree in pastoral ministry. Later on in her ministry she earned a certificate in spiritual direction through the Yankton Benedictine community.
 
Her first position was teaching at St. Isidore School in Columbus, Nebraska. After earning her pastoral ministry degree, she served as a campus minister at Wayne State College in Wayne, Nebraska.

With her parents when she made her first vows

“Following that I started doing what we call formation and vocation ministry in the community. I did that for a long time until I was elected prioress in (Peramiho), Tanzania in 2007. I was prioress there for 8 years,” Sister Rosann said. 

The prioress’s next step was to leave Tanzania to serve as regional superior with the Benedictine community in Uganda for over two years. In 2018, she was elected to return to Norfolk where she currently serves as prioress.
 
At that time, Sister Pia Portman had served as prioress in Norfolk and started the conversations with the Diocese of Sioux City to bring a group of Benedictine sisters to serve in Sioux City at Holy Cross Parish. Sister Rosann picked up where her predecessor began.
 
“We’re so grateful to be in the Sioux City Diocese and be able to be part of the people of God there. We’re grateful for the welcome and collaboration we feel with the diocese and Bishop Nickless,” she stressed.
 
Through the varied ministries on different continents, Sister Rosann and the Benedictine sisters were able to make a significant impact including opening two African orphanages and a grade school. She said the successes were due to God’s hand in the projects.

 “God puts you where he wants you and makes it work,” the prioress said. “You stay with the program and trust in God and he gives you the time it needs and it happens.” 

Reflecting upon her assignments over the years, she noted that “every place has its joys and challenges.” Sister Rosann said she is grateful to be called to a unique and “diverse” ministry with the Benedictines and encourages young people to consider the possibility of a religious vocation.
 
“My favorite thing is when we can touch lives and bring people to Christ. It’s really amazing – it’s an amazing life,” the prioress said. “I wish young people knew how exciting it is. They think of what they don’t get. They don’t think about what an opportunity it is to be so close to Christ and to be doing the work of Christ in such a concrete way. They don’t know what a joy it is.”