Re-election of the Abbot of Einsiedeln

The Holy Father has officially confirmed the election by the monastic chapter of Einsiedeln Abbey of the Reverend Fr. Urban Federer, OSB, as ordinary Abbot of the Territorial Abbey of Maria Einsiedeln, Switzerland.

The election took place on 30 August 2025, and Fr. Federer was chosen for a second term, also of 12 years. This marks a historic moment: for the first time in the Abbey’s history an incumbent abbot has been re-elected.

Born 17 August 1968 in Zürich-Fluntern, in the Diocese of Chur, Abbot Urban made his solemn profession in 1992, was ordained in 1994, and holds advanced degrees in German literature, history and medieval German studies from the University of Fribourg. He has also taught religion, history and German in the Abbey school, lectured in spirituality and Gregorian chant at the Abbey’s theological institute, and served in roles including Prior, vicar general and director of the monastic choir.

The community of Einsiedeln has already marked the re-election with a liturgy on 13 September, during which the monks presented the traditional homagium, a gesture of obedience and fraternity offered to their abbot. A solemn thanksgiving liturgy will follow on 4 October 2025 in the abbey church at 14:00, to which all are welcome.

osb.org

https://www.kloster-einsiedeln.ch