NEWS
of the Benedictine Confederation
and the Cistercian Family

Here we give recent news from the different Orders of the Benedictine Family

or other news related to the life of our communities

and everything that revolves around it.

All news
OSB
OCSO
OCist
Specials

First Abbess at Sujong

On November 24th, 2025 during a solemn Mass, celebrated by the Most Reverend Bishop Lee, the diocesan bishop, and in the presence of Dom Francisco Yoshimoto Kunihiko, Abbot of Phare and Father Immediate, the simple priory of Sujong (Rep. of Korea) was officialy elevated as an abbey , according to the decision of the General Chapter 2025. Mother Emmanuel Hong was elected the first Abbess of the Community on 26th November 2025 for a term of six years. Mother Emmanuel was born

OCSO

2 days ago1 min read

New Abbess at Humocaro

Mother Paola Pavoletti, abbess of Humocaro (Archdiocese of Barquisimeto, Venezuela) since 2008, having reached the retirement age mentioned in ST 40.A of the Constitutions, presented her resignation to the Abbot General. The Abbot General, with the consent of his Council, accepted the resignation, which became effective on 1 November 2025. On 22 November 2025, the community elected Sister Sonia Timaure Rodríguez as abbess for a six-year term. Mother Sonia was born in 1964 i

OCSO

4 days ago1 min read

Election in Arnhem

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/

OCSO

Oct 91 min read

New Abbot at Marienstatt

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/

OCist

Oct 71 min read

Nazareth (Belgium)

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

OCSO

Oct 61 min read

Election at Prad’Mill

On the morning of September 18, 2025, the Dominus Tecum monastic community of Pra 'd Mill (Italy) reelected Brother Emanuele Marigliano as prior, confirming him for a further 10-year term. May the Lord accompany the community's journey and Brother Emanuele's service. ocist.org

OCist

Sep 221 min read

New Abbot at Melk

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

Sep 181 min read

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 th

OSB

Sep 181 min read

Abbey of Valserena

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/

OCSO

Aug 171 min read