The General Chapter of September 2025 voted (Vote 14) in support of the request to the Holy See by Dom Roberto DE LA IGLESIA, Apostolic Commissary of Viaceli (diocese of Santander, Spain) since 2020, to end the regime of Apostolic Commissary in that community. On 25 June 2026 the Holy See accepted Dom Roberto’s resignation as Apostolic Commissary. P. José Luis GALIANA HERRERO, monk of Cardeña, has been appointed Superior of Viaceli. Dom José Luis was born in Burgos, Spain in

In early September 2026, the Chapter of the Congregation of the Annunciation met at Tyniec Abbey (Poland). On 5 September, Father Maksymilian Nawara was re-elected President of the Congregation for a four-year term. First Councillor (appointed by the President): Fr Brendan Coffey (Prior of Sant’Anselmo); Second Councillor (elected by the Chapter): Father Abbot Bernard Lorent Tayart (President of AIM); Third Councillor (appointed by the President): Sister Immaculée Umubyeyi (P

Maredsous Abbey, a Benedictine abbey located in Denée, in the municipality of Anhée in the Province of Namur, is one of Belgium's leading spiritual and tourist destinations. The site employs more than 200 people during the high season and is also home to a school and a visitor centre. The Maredsous Sound Festival is organised by the monastic community in partnership with the Diocese of Namur. For its very first edition, held on 28 and 29 August 2026, the Maredsous Sound Festi

The Good Samaritan Inn marked a significant milestone in August this year with the turning of the sod for the construction of the Good Samaritan Village, a purpose-built crisis accommodation facility in Melbourne for women, children and gender-diverse people escaping family violence. By Debra Vermeer Supported by the Sisters of the Good Samaritan and funded through a $6.9 million Australian Government Safe Places Inclusion Round grant, the Good Samaritan Village represents th

On 30 August 2026, the Solemnity of the Dedication of our Church, Brother Alex Hooft made solemn profession at St. Sixtus Abbey (Belgium). Brother Alex was born in Dendermonde (Belgium) in 1971. He entered St. Sixtus Abbey in 2020 and made first profession in 2023. ocso.org

Dom Guillaume Jedrzejczak has been monastic commissary of the community of Latroun (Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Israel) since August 2022. The General Chapter of 2025 heard his report about the evolution of the community during that time, and the steps which remain to be taken so that the community can return to the exercise of its autonomy. A recent regular visitation confirmed both the good evolution of the community and the further steps which must be taken, and suggested t

The community at the General House of the Benedictine Missionary Sisters of Tutzing, in Rome, joyfully celebrated the feast day of their Superior General, Mother Rosann, on 23 August 2026. The day began with a Eucharistic celebration, giving thanks to God for the gift of her life and her Benedictine religious vocation. This celebration was followed by warm greetings and festive meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) shared by the community. In the evening, the community gathered

Under the patronage of the Pontifical Academy of Saint Anselm in Rome 24. August – 18. September 2026 in Rome Blog: https://www.cfm-ocist.org/ Chapter by the Abbot General, Dom Mauro-Giuseppe Lepori: https://www.ocist.org/ocist/index.php/abate-generale/capitoli-dell-abate-generale ocist.org

On 15 August, 2026, the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Brother Pacôme Assocle made solemn profession at Our Lady of Kokoubou Abbey (Benin). Brother Pacôme was born in Porto Novo (Benin) in 1988. He entered Kokoubou in 2019 and made first profession in 2022. ocso.org

On August 6, 2026, The Feast of Transfiguration, Sister Marie-Claire Nyiranzayirwanda made solemn profession at the Abbey of Our Lady of Kibungo (Rwanda). Sister Marie-Claire was born in Ruhengeri (Rwanda) in 1978. She entered Kibungo in 2018 and made first profession in 2021. ocso.org

The Abbot General and his Council wish all the brothers and sisters a blessed Feast of Saint Bernard and are pleased to present to the Order a new formation programme based on Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli tutti. We thank the members of the Order’s Formation Commission for their excellent work! ocso.org

On 16 August 2026, four brothers: Brother Albert Fanonjona Brother Fabien Randriambololona Brother Hervé Randriamandimby Brother Elie Randrianarison made their solemn profession at the Maria Masina monastery in Maromby (Madagascar). Brother Albert was born in Belamoty, near Tulear (Madagascar), in 1991. He entered Maromby in 2018 and made his first profession in 2021. Brother Fabien was born in Antsirabe (Madagascar) in 1991. He entered Maromby in 2018 and made his first prof

On 15 August, 2026 the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Sister Delis Yohana Dávila Bastidas made solemn profession at Our Lady of Coromoto Abbey (Humocaro - Venezuela). Sister Yohana was born in Mérida-Venezuela in 1993. She entered Humocaro in 2018 and made first profession in 2021. ocso.org

On 15 August, 2026 the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Brother Philippe Menetrier made solemn profession at Our Lady of Tamié Abbey (France). Brother Philippe was born in Dole dans le Jura (France) in 1963. He entered Tamié in 2021 and made first profession in 2023. ocso.org

The third issue of Colloquium from Matutum Monastery is available here. If you’d like to see the previous issues, you can find them here and here. ocso.org

OCSO newsletter n. 40: https://www.ocso.org/uploads/resources/formation/newsletter/Newsletter-40-EN.pdf Or: ocso.org

On 6 August 2026, Father Ignasi Fossas, President of the Congregation of Subiaco-Montecassino, was appointed consultant to the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Official text: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2026/08/06/0624/01161.html#vita In addition, Father Giordano Rota, Abbot of Pontida, has been reappointed to his post for a further five years. https://www.benedettinisublacensicassinesi.org

During the Chapter of the Cistercian Congregation of Casamari (July 17, 2026), Dom Loreto M. Camilli was reconfirmed as Abbot President of the Congregation. Let us pray that God blesses his ministry for the good of the entire Congregation. ocist.org

On 29 July 2026, bells rang out across the campus of Saint Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama, to announce the election of the Right Reverend Brendan J. Seipel, OSB, as the eleventh abbot in the community’s 135-year history. The election chapter was presided over by the Right Reverend Jonathan R. Licari, OSB, Abbot President of the American-Cassinese Congregation. The proceedings commenced on 15 June with a Mass of the Holy Spirit and were temporarily recessed for canonical re

On 11 July 2026, Sister Paz Vital made her perpetual monastic profession before the community, the oblates and friends of Saint Placid Priory (USA). The ceremony was streamed on Zoom for those who were unable to attend in person. A dinner and a celebration followed. https://fedstben.org/2026/07/16/perpetual-monastic-profession-at-saint-placid-priory/ https://stplacid.org/