NEWS
of the Benedictine Confederation
and the Cistercian Family

Some new projects training: https://www.aimintl.org/en/our-projects/category-formation construction: https://www.aimintl.org/en/our-projects/category-constructions development: https://www.aimintl.org/en/our-projects/category-d%C3%A9veloppement livelihood: https://www.aimintl.org/en/our-projects/category-gagne-pain meetings: https://www.aimintl.org/en/our-projects/category-meetings-et-assembl%C3%A9es supported financially by AIM are featured on the website. You can support AI

On June 29, 2026, The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Sister M. Lenka Zábovská made solemn profession at the Monastery of Naší Paní (Czech Republic). Sister M. Lenka was born in Považská Bystrica (Slovakia) in 1981. She re-entered Naší Paní in April 2021 and made first profession in July 2021. ocso.org https://www.trapistky.cz/

There are 2 Liturgical Courses coming in July and September this year: 1. Liturgical inculturation: definitions, guiding principles, models and criteria (This is a reminder of the news published on May 4) Online course, one day Speaker: Abbot Olivier-Marie SARR OSB, Abbot of Keur Moussa Abbey in Senegal, Professor at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of Sant’Anselmo in Rome. Time: July 27, 2026, 8:30-12:00 and 14:00-17:30 (Rome time). Format: Online via ZOOM with simultaneo

We would like to inform you that yesterday evening, June 24, 2026 local time, Venezuela was affected by two strong earthquakes. By God’s grace, our monasteries in Los Andes and Humocaro are safe. We kindly ask for your prayers for the safety and well-being of our brothers and sisters in these communities, as well as for all the people in the affected regions who are facing this difficult situation. May the Lord grant them strength, protection, and comfort in this time of need

On June 24, 2026, The Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, Sister Marie-Théophane Van Hattum made solemn profession at the Abbey of Our Lady of Good Help, Blauvac (France). Sister Marie-Théophane was born in Leiden (The Netherlands) in 1970. She entered the monastery in Arnhem in 2016, made her first profession in 2019, and transferred her stability to Blauvac in 2022. ocso.org https://abbaye-blauvac.com/

On 15 and 16 June 2026, the newly appointed Advisory Board of the Pontifical Atheneum Sant’Anselmo gathered in Rome for its inaugural meeting. Established in accordance with the Statutes of the Atheneum, the board serves as a vital instrument through which the Benedictine Confederation exercises its care for the institution. Comprising monks and sisters and a layman from three continents, the new board brings a distinct perspective to the Atheneum. Abbot Primate Jeremias note

On June 7, 2026, we celebrated with joy and great thanksgiving the opening of the jubilee year of our monastery. In this jubilee, we mark 75 years since the transfer of the Abbey of Hardehausen to Brazil, in Itatinga — a milestone completed on May 28 — as well as the 100th anniversary of the restoration of the Abbey of Hardehausen, which we will complete on the same date next year. Representatives from several houses were present: the Abbey of Itaporanga, Itararé, Campo Grand

The General Chapter of September 2025 voted (Vote 33) in support of the request to the Holy See by Fr. Henri Fouda CSsP, Apostolic Commissary of Koutaba (diocese of Bafoussam, Cameroon) since 2017, to end the regime of Apostolic Commissary in that community. The ad hoc commission which studied the situation of Koutaba further recommended that if the Holy See responded favourably to this request, Fr. Fouda should be appointed monastic commissary of Koutaba, pending the complet

June 12, 2026 The Roman Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life has approved the request to affiliate the Cistercian Priory of St. Mary at Helfta with the Cistercian Abbey of Seligenthal in Landshut, thereby attaching the Helfta community to the Seligenthal community. ocist.org https://www.ocist.org/ocist/images/pdf/HelftaAffiliation.pdf

The InterMonasteries Alliance is expanding In 2025, the AIM updated its ecclesiastical statutes by broadening its partnerships and emphasising the reality of a structure shared by the three major orders that follow the Rule of Saint Benedict. In line with these changes, the AIM is embarking on a significant turning point in its development, adopting new civil statutes, a new name and a new visual identity to promote its identity, highlight its international dimension, and uni