NEWS
of the Benedictine Confederation
and the Cistercian Family

For several years, the Cistercian community of Bellefontaine (France) has been questioning its future. Initially, it sought to adapt its community premises to accommodate a smaller number of brothers, but over time it realised that the brothers could not continue to live alone on this 19th-century property covering 120 hectares, which had become too large for a small group of monks whose average age had reached 80. So it explored the possibility of partnering with association

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/

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 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 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

M. Kathy de Vico, abbess of O.L. of Redwoods (diocese of Santa Rosa, USA) since 2000, presented her resignation to the Abbot General in...

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...

On June 28, 2025, Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Brother Nikolaus Arno made solemn profession at the monastery of Lamanabi...

On June 28, 2025, Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Mariana de Jesús Quiñónez Luisamano made solemn profession at the...