Sister Virginia Rohling, O.S.B., a Benedictine Sister of Sacred Heart Monastery in Cullman, died peacefully at the monastery on Feb. 19, at the age of 89. Sister Elisabeth Meadows, prioress, led prayers as sisters gathered at her bedside. 

Sister Virginia, the daughter of Albert Henry and Elizabeth Mary Rohling, was born in 1937 in Birmingham, and raised within a devout Catholic family. She was baptized Mary Margaret Rohling at Our Lady of Sorrows Church. A bright student, Sister Virginia excelled at Blessed Sacrament School and later at John Carroll High School. She participated in the State Spelling Bee finals as a grade school student, served as president of the National Honor Society at John Carroll, and was valedictorian of her graduating class. A natural athlete, Sister Virginia found much joy in playing sports, and later in coaching winning grade school volleyball teams.

Within three weeks of her 1955 graduation from John Carroll, Sister Virginia entered Sacred Heart Monastery as a postulant. She made her perpetual monastic profession in 1960. Preparation for the ministry of education led Sister to studies at Sacred Heart College, John Carroll University in Ohio, and Peabody College in Tennessee. Sister Virginia later studied mathematics at the graduate level at Marquette University. 

Early in her religious life, Sister Virginia was assigned to teach in schools staffed by the Benedictine Sisters, including St. Margaret's School and John Carroll Catholic High School, two of her favorite assignments. She excelled as a math teacher and school administrator. Her prowess at managing the John Carroll class scheduling of students in pre-computer days was legendary.

Leaders within the monastic community, and the community as a whole, took note of Sister Virginia’s gifts. She was elected to the monastic council, served on the finance committee, and, in 1979, was appointed to the position of treasurer of the community. In this role, she assisted in planning new ministries at the monastery and for the renovation of buildings to accommodate them. 

In 1983, Sister Virginia was elected prioress of the monastic community, serving two terms. A key focus of her service as prioress was building up the spiritual life of the sisters, implementing collegial procedures for community decision making, and encouraging action related to peace and justice. She encouraged sisters to take advantage of educational opportunities related to their monastic heritage and brought in nationally-known speakers to address the community on monastic topics. A major accomplishment during her time as prioress was the renovation of the monastery chapel to conform with the liturgical directives of Vatican II.

At the conclusion of her second term as prioress, Sister Virginia began many years of service in pastoral ministry within several parishes of the Diocese of Birmingham, including St. Peter the Apostle, St. Francis Xavier, and St. John the Baptist. She also served on the Diocesan School Board, was a member of the building committee for the current John Carroll Catholic High School campus, and was program coordinator for the spouses of the men in the Permanent Diaconate Program.

In 2010, Sister Virginia was asked by the prioress to return to Cullman to serve as Director of Benedictine Manor, the community’s residential ministry for independent retired seniors. With her heart for ministry and her administrative skills, she approached this assignment with her typical enthusiasm, creating a comfortable and caring home for Manor residents.

Retiring to the monastery in 2015, Sister Virginia served within the community with dedication, answering phones at the switchboard, serving in the sacristy, and lending a hand wherever it was needed. 

Throughout these years of active ministry and significant contributions within the monastic community, Sister Virginia’s faith was her anchor. Her zeal for ministry and her dedication to prayer bore fruit in a lifetime of faithful service and witness. 

Sister Virginia was preceded in death by her parents and by her brother, Albert H. Rohling, Jr.  Survivors include two sisters, Mildred Rohling Hawkins (Blake) and Juliana Rohling White (Fred); a sister-in-law, Mary Lea Rohling; nephews, nieces, and extended family; and her community of Benedictine Sisters. 

Her Mass of Christian Burial was held Feb. 23 at the Sacred Heart Monastery Chapel. She was buried in the monastery cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Benedictine Sisters of Cullman, AL, 916 Convent Rd., NE, Cullman, AL, 35055 or at shmon.org/support-us.