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

New prioress at Pittsburg

Following the Discernment Process facilitated by Sister Aileen Bankemper, OSB, and the election on April 18 facilitated by Sister Lynn McKenzie, OSB, President of the Monastic Congregation of St. Scholastica, the Benedictine Sisters are happy to announce that Sister Shelly (Michele) Farabaugh is the Prioress Elect. Installation will occur in June. www.osbpgh.org

OSB

4 days ago1 min read

The Priory of Palaçoulo

On 25 March 2026, during a solemn Mass celebrated by the diocesan bishop, Mgr. Nuno Almeida, and in the presence of Dom Loris Tomassini, Abbot of Frattocchie, Father Immediate, and of Mother Rosaria Spreafico, abbess of Vitorchiano, the founding monastery, the foundation of Santa Maria Mãe da Igreja, Palaçoulo (Portugal) was officially elevated to the rank of simple priory, according to the decision of the General Chapter 2025. On 26 March 2026, Mother Giuseppina Maffini was

OCSO

Mar 271 min read

New prioress at Armenteira

Mother Ana Carmen Moneo Castel-Ruíz, titular prioress of Armenteira (archdiocese of Santiago di Compostella, Spain), offered her resignation to the Abbot General. The Abbot General, with the consent of his Council, accepted the resignation, which became effective on 19 February 2026. On 16 March 2026, the community elected Sr. Paula Maria Télles Gonzalés as titular prioress for a six-year term. Mother Paula Maria was born in 1967 in Pontevedra (Spain). She entered the monaste

OCSO

Mar 171 min read

New superior at Thyrnau

After the death of Mother Mechthild, M. Lucia Kienzler was appointed Prioress Administrator of the Cistercian Monastery of St. Joseph in Thyrnau (Germany). May God bless her service for the benefit of her community. ocist.org

OCist

Mar 21 min read

Priory of Macau

On 26 January, 2026, during a solemn Mass celebrated by the diocesan bishop Most Reverend Stephen Lee, and in the presence of Dom Paul Kao, Abbot of our Lady of Joy, Lantao, Father Immediate, and of Mother Cornelia Ellis Lisnawaty, abbess of Gedono, the founding monastery, the foundation of Our Lady, Star of Hope, Macau was officially elevated to the rank of simple priory, according to the decision of the General Chapter 2025. On 27 January, 2026, Mother Caterina Mazzarelli

OCSO

Jan 301 min read