NEWS
of the Benedictine Confederation
and the Cistercian Family

On August 23, 2025, Sister Clotilde Gennet made solemn profession at the monastery of N.-D. de La Coudre (France). Sister Clotilde was born in 1987 in Saint-Malo (France). She entered Laval in 2017 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org https://www.abbaye-coudre.fr/

On the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the patronal feast of the entire Order, Our Lady of Thien Phuoc Abbey joyfully celebrated the profession of vows of 11 brothers: 6 making temporary profession and 5 making solemn profession. In communion, we give thanks to God and pray that these brothers may remain faithful and persevere in their monastic vocation, and that the Lord may continue to bless the Order with vocations. ocist.org

On August 20, 2025, Solemnity of Saint Bernard, Sister Jitka Pacíková made solemn profession at the monastery of Naši Paní (Czech Rep.). Sister Jitka was born in 1988 in Znojmo (Czech Rep.). She entered Naši Paní in 2017 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org https://www.trapistky.cz/

On August 18, 2025, Brother Alberic Henry made solemn profession at the monastery of Gethsemani (USA). Brother Alberic was born in 1975 in Cleveland, Ohio (USA). He entered Gethsemani in 2020 and made first profession in 2022. ocso.org https://monks.org/

We inform you of a new scam attempt of fake mails. This is obviously a scam. Please be careful. Below we present the emails that some Superiors have received: Lieber Bruder, Diese freundschaftliche und brüderliche Nachricht wird Ihnen von Ihrem Bruder und Freund, Kardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Metropolitischer Erzbischof von Kinshasa, übermittelt. Ich erlaube mir zudem, mich an Eure Exzellenz zu wenden, um um eine moralische, spirituelle und eine materielle Unterstützung in Form

On August 15, 2025, Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Brother, Stefano Santini made solemn profession at the monastery of Azul (Argentina). Brother Stefano was born in 1989 in Paraná (Argentina). He entered Azul in 2019 and made first profession in 2022. ocso.org https://www.trapenses.com.ar/#!/-inicio/

On August 17, 2025, Mother Maria Francesca Righi completed her term of six years as Abbess of Valserena (Diocese of Volterra, Italy). On the same day, Mother Maria Francesca was re-elected Abbess of the Community for a new six-year term. ocso.org https://www.valserena.it/

On July 26, 2025, Brother Fabrice Ahandessi and Brother Gontran-Marie Koudenou made solemn profession at the monastery of Kokoubou (Benin). Brother Ahandessi was born in 1985 in Cotonou (Benin). He entered Kokoubou in 2017 and made first profession in 2020. Brother Koudenou was born in 1993 in Azohouè-Aliho (Benin). He entered Kokoubou in 2018 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org

On August 09, 2025, Feast of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Sister Anne-Elisabeth Janicot made solemn profession at the monastery of Notre-Dame de La Coudre (France). Sister Anne-Elisabeth was born in 1970 in Tulle (France). She entered La Coudre in 2017 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org

During the fire in April 2025, thanks to the determined efforts of the firefighters, the fire was stopped 2 meters from the abbey buildings. 1,500 olive trees were burned to the ground (33% of the total) – it takes seven years for an olive tree to produce olives. Five hectares of vineyards were burned (33% of the total) – it takes three years for a vine to produce grapes. The monks launched an appeal for help to replant the vines, mobilizing a handful of volunteers who came t

On August 6, 2025, Feast of the Transfiguration, Brother Juan Martín Godoy Villasante made solemn profession at the monastery of Paraíso...

On 06 August 2025, the community of Guimaras (Diocese of Jaro, Philippines) elected Dom Kevin John Lipasan as abbot for a six-year term....

https://ocso.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/newsletter-GC-03-EN.pdf