NEWS
of the Benedictine Confederation
and the Cistercian Family

On 7 Oktober 2025,  Mother Pascale Fourmentin  completed her six-year term as Abbess of Arnhem (Diocese of Utraiectensis, in The Netherlands). On the same day, she was re-elected Abbess of the Community for an indefinite term. ocso.org https://abdijkoningsoord.org/

We are pleased to announce that today, September 17, 2025, the feast day of Saint Hildegard of Bingen, Father Ignatius FRITSCH OCist was elected the 53rd Abbot of Marienstatt (Germany). The Abbot's blessing will take place on Sunday, 26 October 2025, at 10:30 a.m. ocist.org https://www.abtei-marienstatt.de/

On 30 September 2025, Mother Katharina Michiels completed her six-year term as Abbess of Nazareth (Diocese of Antwerp, Belgium). On the same day, she was re-elected Abbess of the Community for a new six-year term. ocso.org

On 11 September 2025 the community of Melk Abbey (Austria) elected Fr Ludwig Wenzl as their 68th abbot. The election was presided over by Abbot President Johannes Perkmann. Abbot Ludwig succeeds Abbot Georg Wilfinger, who has led the Abbey since 2001. Born Karl Wenzl in 1985 in Waidhofen an der Ybbs, the new abbot entered Melk in 2011 and made his solemn profession in 2014. He was ordained priest in 2021. Within the Abbey he has worked in education, culture and tourism, and

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 th

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/

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

On 26 July 2025, the community of Miraflores (Diocese of Rancagua, Chile) elected Dom Lucas Marckmann Soto as Abbot of the Community for...

On July 25, 2025, Solemnity of Saint James the Apostle, patron of Spain, Brother Pablo María Colmenar Vázquez made solemn profession at...

On July 11, 2025, Solemnity of Saint Benedict, Sister Laurence Gabriella Gauchier made solemn profession at the monastery of Blauvac...

On 10 July 2025, at the end of her second abbatial term, Mother Hortense Mituga was re-elected Abbess of Clarté-Dieu (Archdiocese of...

On June 27, 2025, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Sister Giusy Picone made solemn profession at the monastery of Valserena...

Mother Alberica Ueno Chiaki, abbess of Imari (Diocese of Fukuoka, Japan) since 2023, reached the age of retirement mentioned in ST 40.A...

The Benedictine monks of Mariastein Abbey have elected Father Ludwig Rudolf Ziegerer OSB as their new abbot. The election, held on 18...