NEWS
of the Benedictine Confederation
and the Cistercian Family

On December 28, 2025, Feast of the Holy Family, Brother Godric Hathorn made solemn profession at the monastery of Gethsemani (United States). Brother Godric was born in 1975 in Gulfport, Mississippi (United States). He entered Gethsemani in 2019 and made his first profession in 2021. ocso.org https://monks.org/

6 December 2025 We are brothers and sisters, one body in Christ, and we do not leave any of them alone, especially those who are in difficult situations, but bear one another’s burdens in charity. Thank you for all the uplifting congratulations and prayers! ocso.org

In accordance with Cst. 69.2, the Abbot General, with the consent of his Council, has granted permission for the opening of novitiates in the following foundations: Munkeby (Diocese of Trondheim, Norway) Bàdi (Diocese of Tambacounda, Senegal) Porta Coeli, Akokwa (Diocese of Orlu, Nigeria) We commend these communities to the Lord and support them with our prayer, imploring His blessing upon their future growth, perseverance, and flourishing in monastic life. ocso.org Munkeby.

On December 13, 2025, Memorial of St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr, Sister Clarisse-Marie Tovalou made solemn profession at the monastery of L’Étoile Notre-Dame (Benin). Sister Clarisse-Marie Tovalou was born in 1982 in Cotonou (Benin). She entered L’Étoile Notre-Dame in 2017 and made first profession in 2021. ocso.org

On December 8, 2025, The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Sister Ilaria Cerra made solemn profession at the monastery of Vitorchiano (Italy). Sister Ilaria Cerra was born in 1991 in Salerno (Italy). She entered Vitorchiano in 2016 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org https://www.trappistevitorchiano.it/

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

On November 22, 2025, on the eve of Solemnity of Christ the King, Sister Helene Amblaye made solemn profession at the monastery of Mvanda (RD of Congo). Sister Helene was born in 1980 in Bokoro (RD of Congo). She entered Mvanda in 2015 and made her first profession in 2018. ocso.org

On November 23, 2025, Solemnity of Christ the King, Sister Emily Mostajo made solemn profession at the monastery of Matutum (Philippines). Sister Emily was born in 1970 in Urdaneta, Pangasinan (Philippines). She entered Matutum in 2017 and made her first profession in 2020. ocso.org

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

An initiative inspired by a meeting between the Sisters of Matutum and M. Eleanor Campion during her 2024 visit: https://colloquium.trappistinesmatutum.org/ ocso.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 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

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/

Dom Joseph Wittstock (abbot of Berryville), who has been monastic commissary of New Melleray since December 2024, offered his resignation as monastic commissary of New Melleray. The Abbot General, with the consent of his Council, accepted the resignation, which became effective on 21st October 2025. On the same date, the Abbot General with the consent of his Council appointed Fr Jerome Machar , monk of Genesee, as monastic commissary of New Melleray. Dom Jerome was born in Cl

After more than two centuries of Cistercian presence, the community of monks at Port du Salut (diocese of Laval, Mayenne, France) has decided, after much prayer and discernment, to leave the abbey. Due to a lack of new vocations, the brothers felt that it was becoming difficult to maintain a sustainable monastic life at this site. On Sunday, 19 October 2025, the monks of the Abbey of Notre-Dame-du-Port-du-Salut handed over responsibility for their abbey to a team of volunteer

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

The General Chapter of the Trappist Order will take place at the General House from 3 to 24 September 2025. Let us pray for our brothers and sisters during these weeks of sharing, reflection and fraternity. You can consult the blog created by the young brothers and sisters of the Order: https://ocsogc2025.blogspot.com/ ocso.org

Dom Raphaël García Pelayo, secretary to the Abbot General, was appointed Superior ad nutum of Acey and he is replaced by Brother Cassant...

On June 8, 2025,  Dom Alexis Vergon, superior ad nutum of Aiguebelle and Father Immediate of the community of Acey (diocese of...