NEWS
of the Benedictine Confederation
and the Cistercian Family

The members of the AIM met at Maredsous Abbey (Belgium) from 12 to 15 November 2025. Those present were: Dom Bernard Lorent Tayart, OSB, President of the AIM; Dom Charbel Pazat de Lys, OSB, Secretary General of the AIM; Dom Jeremias Schröder, OSB, Abbot Primate (via video link); Dom Mauro-Giuseppe Lepori, OCist, Abbot General of the Cistercian Order; Dom Bernardus Peeters, OCSO, Abbot General of the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance; Dom Ignasi Fossas, OSB, Abbot

• On 19 November, Fr. Laurentius Eschlböck of Schottenstift in Vienna, of the Austrian Congregation, was reappointed as vice-rector of Sant’Anselmo Atheneum, a function he held already earlier. • On 4 November, the General Chapter of the Slav Congregation re-elected Abbot Jeronim Marin of Cocovac in Croatia as Abbot President, for another four-year term. The Chapter coincided with the 80th anniversary of the Congregation, established in 1945. • On 27 October, the Benedictine

November 12, 2025 The celebration of the dedication and consecration of our new church and altar on Sunday, Aug. 24th was a day of grace and blessing for all of us. We are deeply grateful to God and all to who joined us in the journey of bringing our new monastery to completion. Our desire in this journey and now and always is that in all things God may be glorified. ocist.org https://build.valleyofourlady.org/

On November 01, 2025, Solemnity of All Saints, Brother Ismael Lasanta Vanhoutteghem made solemn profession at the monastery of Cardeña (Spain). Brother Ismael was born in 1995 in Madrid (Spain). He entered Cardeña in 2020 and made his first profession in 2022. ocso.org https://www.cardena.org/

On 25 October 2025, Brother Gerardo María Krutský took his solemn vows at the monastery in Vyšší Brod (Czech Republic). The community currently consists of eleven brothers and two candidates for admission. In order for the Cistercians of Vyšší Brod to elect an abbot, the community must have thirteen members who have taken solemn vows. Within the entire Cistercian Order, Vyšší Brod has the community with the lowest average age. The traditional liturgy is celebrated there in L

On Monday 27 October 2025, for their jubilee pilgrimage, the Cistercian nuns of San Giacomo di Veglia visited the ancient Abbey of Santa Maria (Follina), built by Cistercian monks in the 13th century and located near the nuns' monastery. Founded by the Abbey of Chiaravalle (Milan), it remains one of the best preserved and restored Cistercian abbeys in Italy, a place where beauty and simplicity still speak today with the voice of the founders of Cîteaux. Here is the article th

On November 01, 2025, Solemnity of All Saints, Brother Donatus Chigozie Odo made solemn profession at the monastery of Illah (Nigeria). Brother Donatus was born in 1996 in Nsukka (Nigeria). He entered Illah in 2018 and made his first profession in 2021. ocso.org

The General Chapter of September 2025 asked for a special visitation at the community of Rochefort (vote 42). This visitation was carried out and, on the recommendation of the visitors, the Abbot General with the consent of his Council suspended the exercise of autonomy of the community of Rochefort and appointed Dom Xavier Frisque , superior ad nutum of Orval, as monastic commissary of Rochefort. This nomination became effective on 28 October, 2025. Dom Xavier was born in 1

New Bulletin of AIM, no. 129: Communities in Areas of Conflict. https://www.aimintl.org/en/communication/report/129 Contents   Editorial Dom Bernard Lorent Tayart, OSB, President of AIM   Meditations • Peace in the Rule of St Benedict The Editorial Team   • “Peace I leave you, my peace I give you.” (Jn 14, 27) Dom Maksymilian R. Nawara, OSB   • The mosaic in the apse of the basilica of St Clement in Rome Fr. Alex Echeandía, OSB   Opening on the world • Map showing conflicts i

On November 01, 2025, Solemnity of All Saints, S ister Marie Jitka Heřmana Gregorovičová made solemn profession at the monastery of Naši Paní (Czech Rep.). Sister Marie Heřmana was born in 1982 in Brno (Czech Rep.). She was a transitus, entered Naši Paní in 2019 and received her habit in 2020. ocso.org https://www.trapistky.cz/