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On 15 and 16 June 2026, the newly appointed Advisory Board of the Pontifical Atheneum Sant’Anselmo gathered in Rome for its inaugural meeting. Established in accordance with the Statutes of the Atheneum, the board serves as a vital instrument through which the Benedictine Confederation exercises its care for the institution. Comprising monks and sisters and a layman from three continents, the new board brings a distinct perspective to the Atheneum. Abbot Primate Jeremias noted that while past boards focused heavily on administrative affairs and institutional reform, the current group is defined by its deep roots in the monastic tradition. "The special quality of the Advisory Board is its monastic nature," the Abbot Primate observed. "Almost everybody comes from a monastery and all of them have long experience of monastic life and monasteries. Three of them represent female monasticism whose presence in Rome we want to increase. They should help us to really tailor our offerings and our institution to the actual needs of monastic families all over the world, and we look forward to achieving great things together with them." As Sant’Anselmo’s Grand Chancellor, Abbot Jeremias, along with Rector Jákó Örs Fehérváry OSB and Vice Rector Laurentius Eschlböck OSB, participated in the meetings. Secretary of the Abbot Primate Patrick Carter OSB facilitated the proceedings. Board Members Abate Ignasi Fossas OSB Recently elected Abbot President of the Subiaco Cassinese Congregation and a monk of Montserrat. His leadership over one of the largest global networks of Benedictine monasteries provides critical strategic oversight and administrative guidance for the Confederation’s central academic institution. He received his doctorate in liturgy from Sant’Anselmo and currently teaches at the Pontifical Institute of Liturgy. Abbot Olivier-Marie Sarr OSB Abbot of Keur Moussa in Senegal and an active professor at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute at Sant’Anselmo. As both an alumnus and a faculty member, he bridges deep institutional memory with the vibrant, growing perspective of African monasticism. Prioress Hannah van Quakebeke OSB Prioress of the Benedictine Priory of Bethany in Loppem, Belgium. She brings a vital perspective from Northern European monastic communities and possesses practical governance experience from conducting canonical visitations of other abbeys. She graduated with a doctorate from the Monastic Institute and was an Invited Professor during academic years 2010-2011 and 2011-2012. Sr. Scholastika Häring OSB A distinguished canon lawyer and co-founder of the Institute of Canon Law for Women Religious at the Abbey of Burg Dinklage. She serves as an official at the ecclesiastical court of Münster, providing the board with specialized legal expertise and a strong structural voice for female Benedictine communities. Abbess Noemi Scarpa OSB Abbess of the Monastery of Sant’Anna in Bastia Umbra, where she leads an actively engaged, community-focused monastic presence. Her unique background—which includes leaving a professional basketball career for the cloister—and dynamic leadership offer a grounded vision of modern Italian monastic life. Prof. Andreas Bieringer Professor of Liturgical Studies, Hymnology, and Christian Art at Sankt Georgen in Frankfurt, Germany. His extensive academic research on the intersection of liturgy, literature, and culture adds robust, specialized academic rigor that aligns perfectly with Sant’Anselmo’s renowned liturgical faculties. Fr. Edward Mazich OSB Rector of Saint Vincent Seminary in Pennsylvania, where he serves as director of liturgy and professor of Sacred Scripture. Holding degrees from both the Pontifical Biblical Institute and the Gregorian University in Rome, he contributes invaluable expertise in seminary administration and biblical scholarship. S.E. Mons. Eric Varden OCSO Bishop of Trondheim, Norway, and a Trappist monk who formerly taught theology at Sant’Anselmo. Holding a doctorate from Cambridge and having recently preached the 2026 Lenten Spiritual Exercises for the Roman Curia, he brings profound theological insight and an international spiritual perspective. Drawing upon their expertise and personal knowledge of Sant’Anselmo, the board members helped the leaders of the Atheneum to identify present challenges and explore ways to make the academic offering more fruitful at the service of global monasticism. Abbot Primate Jeremias and Rector Jákó would like to thank the members of the previous Advisory Board and wish the new ones “buon lavoro” in their task to accompany the Atheneum in its mission to serve the Church, the Benedictine Confederation and the wider culture. osb.org

On June 7, 2026, we celebrated with joy and great thanksgiving the opening of the jubilee year of our monastery. In this jubilee, we mark 75 years since the transfer of the Abbey of Hardehausen to Brazil, in Itatinga — a milestone completed on May 28 — as well as the 100th anniversary of the restoration of the Abbey of Hardehausen, which we will complete on the same date next year. Representatives from several houses were present: the Abbey of Itaporanga, Itararé, Campo Grande, and Santa Cruz de Monte Castelo, as well as from the Monastery of Claraval of our Order, and from the Benedictine Abbeys of São Bento in São Paulo, São Geraldo also in São Paulo, and Nossa Senhora da Paz in Itapecerica da Serra. The Holy Mass was presided over by Dom Bento de Oliveira, Abbot of Itaporanga and President Abbot of the Brazilian Congregation. The homily was delivered by Dom Luis Alberto. ocist.org https://www.abadiadeitatinga.org/

The General Chapter of September 2025 voted (Vote 33) in support of the request to the Holy See by Fr. Henri Fouda CSsP, Apostolic Commissary of Koutaba (diocese of Bafoussam, Cameroon) since 2017, to end the regime of Apostolic Commissary in that community. The ad hoc commission which studied the situation of Koutaba further recommended that if the Holy See responded favourably to this request, Fr. Fouda should be appointed monastic commissary of Koutaba, pending the completion of his transitus to our Order. On 27 April 2026 the Holy See accepted Fr. Fouda’s resignation as Apostolic Commissary and returned Koutaba to the structures of the Order. On 12 June 2026 the Abbot General and his Council, acting in the name of the General Chapter, and in accordance with the above recommendation, suspended the exercise of autonomy of the community and appointed Fr. Henri Fouda as monastic commissary (cf. C. 34bis.2) of Koutaba. ocso.org

Historical The Inter-Monastery Alliance has existed since 1961. In the sixty years since then, many events have occurred in the lives of the monasteries founded during this period. The AIM has therefore adapted to the needs of the communities, evolving from a mutual aid organization to an alliance among all the houses of the Benedictine Family throughout the world. Here is a brief overview of this history. History of AIM 1957: Through the Encyclical Fidei Donum, Pope Pius XII calls Christians to mobilize in the service of the expansion of the faith. The monks respond enthusiastically to this request. 1959: The Congress of Benedictine Abbots meeting in Rome proposes the creation of an information and coordination center for monastic establishment in mission countries. Dom Benno Gut, Abbot Primate, encourages the creation of a Secretariat. Dom Tholens, Abbot of Slangenburg, Dom Guesquiere, Abbot of Zevenkerken in Bruges formed with Father Abbot of Floris a study group for the project. He settled in Vanves, at the Ste-Bathilde Priory, to create with Sister Maur Esquerré de Rosny, Benedictine of Vanves, the beginning of this Secretariat. 1961: Father Abbot Primate officially establishes the Mission Secretariat which is entitled “Aid for Monastic Implantation” (AIM). The project is ratified in Ligugé on the occasion of the festivities in honor of St Martin. Dom Sortais, Abbot General of the Cistercians of the Strict Observance, supports the project. An association under French law was created on December 15. This is a legal support for the Secretariat under the control of a Management Council. Donations are collected for African foundations. 1962: The Synod of Abbot Presidents OSB ratifies the existence of the AIM until the next Congress of Abbots. 1964: A pan-African monastic meeting takes place in Bouaké in Ivory Coast. 1965: The edition of a liaison bulletin in French is created. 1966: The Congress of Abbots approves the existence of the AIM Secretariat created for Africa and extends its action to Latin America and Asia. The following year, Sister Pia Valeri, OSB, replaced Sister Maur Esquerré. Dom Paul Gordan, osb, Secretary General of the Benedictine Confederation joins the Management Council of the AIM. The Cistercians of strict observance are also represented by a delegate from their Abbot General. 1968: First pan-Asian monastic meeting in Bangkok (Thailand). 1969: The Liaison Bulletin also appears in English. In France, lay people created an association supporting the AIM: Friends of the Third World Monasteries (AMTM). 1972: A Latin American monastic meeting takes place in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), followed the following year by a second pan-Asian meeting in Bangalore, (India). An AIM secretariat is created in the USA. 1974: AIM develops its interest in Monastic Interreligious Dialogue (DIM - MID). 1975: A second Latin American monastic meeting takes place in Bogota (Colombia). 1976: AIM becomes: “Inter-Monastery Aid”. 1978: In the USA and in Paris, meetings concerning Monastic Interreligious Dialogue take place. 1979-1980: Successively, two international monastic meetings took place, the first in Abidjan (Ivory Coast), the second in Kandy (Sri-Lanka). 1982: Father Marie-Bernard de Soos, Founder of the Monastery of the Ascension in Dzogbégan (Togo) replaces Father Abbot de Floris, who resigned for health reasons. The AIM has internal regulations confirming its organization, its aim, its activities and its relationship with the Benedictine Confederation and the Cistercian Orders. The AIM Bulletin appears in Spanish. 1984: At the AIM Secretariat, Sister Thérèse Rodrigues, OSB, succeeds Sister Pia Valeri and will provide this service until 1993, Sister Alma Pedri, OSB then taking over until 1996. After an interim period provided by Sister Véronique Dupont, OSB, a lay person, Ms. Françoise Mazzoni, then another lay person, Mr. Jean-Jacques Mansion, were hired until the arrival of Sister Gisela Happ, OSB, in 2001. 1994: The Monastic Interreligious Dialogue is established as an autonomous organization. Father Pierre de Béthune, OSB, is the Secretary General, providing this service until 2007. On this date, Father William Skudlarek, OSB, succeeds him. A link is maintained between the AIM and the DIM-MID, in publications and the reciprocal invitation to annual meetings. 1997: After the resignation of Father Marie-Bernard de Soos, the new Abbot Primate, Marcel Rooney, surrounded by a few members, restructures the AIM to better adapt it and affirm it in its international service. Fr. Martin Neyt, OSB, becomes president of AIM and reports on its activities to a Council which meets once a year. A few representative members of the Orders form an Executive Committee which monitors international activities and meets twice a year, especially for the allocation of funds. Father Jacques Côté, OSB, is appointed Secretary General and resides in Rome. The AIM becomes “Alliance Inter Monastères”. Reciprocal exchanges between continents are increasing. 2001: Sister Gisela Happ, OSB, joins the AIM Secretariat in Vanves. She became its Secretary General a year later. Vanves is definitely the International Center of the AIM, hosted by the Sainte-Bathilde priory. A few years later, she would be assisted by Sister Marie-Placide Dolorès, OSB (congregation of Cogon, Philippines). 2004: New internal regulations confirm the reform of the structures put in place in 1997. 2006: The AIM creates a studium in Vanves in the premises of the Sainte-Bathilde priory: the Jean XXIII center, to welcome young nuns from Africa, Latin America and Asia coming to study in Paris. 2007: The AIM Bulletin appears in Portuguese in Brazil. 2013: Dom Jean-Pierre Longeat, abbot emeritus of Ligugé Abbey (France), becomes president of the AIM. 2016: The AIM Bulletin appears in German. In June of that same year, the Jean XXIII studium, housed in the buildings of the Sainte-Bathilde priory and managed by the AIM, was closed. 2017: Sister Christine Conrath, OSB, becomes secretary of AIM. She will remain in this position until March 2025. 2024: In September, Dom Jean-Pierre Longeat steps down as president after eleven years of service. Dom Bernard Lorent Tayart, abbot emeritus of Maredsous Abbey (Belgium), becomes president of the AIM. May 2025: Father Charbel Pazat de Lys, OSB, is appointed Secretary General for a five-year term. AIM serves the link between the communities of the Benedictine family, with particular attention to the young monastic foundations of the last sixty years. We observe an annual growth of 3 to 4 new communities; However, the number of nuns and monks in many large communities is decreasing.

The AIM promotes and encourages cooperation and solidarity among monasteries; contributes to the human, cultural, and spiritual formation of the communities; fosters and supports exchanges between communities; supports funding projects submitted by the communities; and publishes a newsletter and a Bulletin twice a year in six languages. FINANCIALLY SUPPORT AIM THE AMTN ASSOCIATION THE BENEDICTUS FOUNDATION PROMOTE COOPERATION AND SOLIDARITY BETWEEN THE MONASTERIES of the Benedictine family throughout the world Welcome to Alliance InterMonastères We work for the growth and development of monastic life today around the world The Alliance for International Monasticism (AIM) is an Association of monasteries promoting cooperation, solidarity and mutual aid between communities. AIM contributes to the human, cultural and spiritual training of communities, encourages and supports exchanges between communities and supports the financing of projects presented by the communities. MONASTIC LIFE Monastic formation Regional monastic associations Reference texts: The Mirror of Monastic Life the monastic Dream... Read More >>> COMMUNITIES History of the Benedictine Confederation History of the International Communion of Benedictines Contact details of monasteries by continent and country. Read More >>> OUR PROJECTS Each semester, projects are presented here which are sent to AIM in order to support them. These projects concern: Formation at all levels, constructions, aid for new foundations, lucrative activities and development works (health, education, agriculture.) Read More >>> Request for financing 1,500 YEARS OF MONTE CASSINO - Places of Hope A Jubilee for the Entire Benedictine Family In 2029, the family of Orders living according to the Rule of Saint Benedict will celebrate a jubilee of exceptional significance: the 1,500th anniversary of the founding of Monte Cassino, the cradle of Western monastic tradition. This anniversary, commemorated at the initiative of the Benedictine Confederation on the site jubilee.osb.org, invites every community — Benedictine, Cistercian, and Trappist — to renew its fidelity to the Gospel and to monastic hospitality. The AIM, which has served the communion between monasteries throughout the world since 1961, is wholeheartedly joining this jubilee momentum. This milestone coincides with a moment of institutional renewal within AIM itself: revision of its statutes, strengthening of its governance structures, and the deployment of new digital tools in the service of its members. The jubilee of 2029 is therefore not merely a commemoration: it is an invitation to work together to build an international monastic alliance that is even more vibrant and united, so that we may bring together a little of Heaven down to earth. ABOUT RECENT NEWS 1 2 3 4 OSB Order of Saint Benedict The news presented here are those of the male and female monasteries belonging to the Benedictine Confederation. Read the news OCSO Cistercian Order of Strict Observance This Order brings together the monasteries of the reform of the Order of Cîteaux by Abbot de Rancé in the 17th century. Read the news OCist. Cistercian Order The monasteries represented here belong to the Cistercian Order. Read the news SPECIAL Special news and events Here you will find news about various communities or specific events. Read the news OTHER NEWS BULLETIN NEWSLETTERS LETTER FROM THE AMTM AIM around the world 1,157 COMMUNITIES WOMEN 1,762 COMMUNITIES AND MISSIONS OSB - OSCO - OCIST - CISTERCIAN FAMILY See more > 605 COMMUNITIES MALE

Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum (CIB) The Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum (CIB) The Communio Internationalis Benedictarum (CIB) was born in 2001 in Nairobi, Kenya, during a meeting of representatives of female Benedictine communities from around the world. It had been about thirty years since efforts had been made to bring together through a fraternal bond the nuns and sisters affiliated with the Benedictine Confederation. If each of the communities has its own charisma and particularity, the sisters have learned to recognize and appreciate their unity in the rule of Saint Benedict and in the Benedictine tradition, which has spread across the cultures and countries of the world. The CIB allowed the sisters to experience in depth and in a concrete way all the richness of the Benedictine charism, which is expressed in the life of their communities. Brief history of the CIB The Benedictine Confederation Between 1886 and 1893 Pope Leo XIII took steps towards the establishment of the Benedictine Confederation, the structure for the network of male congregations existing at the time, with the Abbot Primate for unity at the head of the community at Sant'Anselmo in Rome. The aim of the Confederation was to create and consolidate international contacts between male Benedictine monasteries in order to promote the common tradition of Western monasticism and to prepare monks through serious study for their service in the Church in the 20th century. There was no parallel foundation for the Benedictines. Gradually monasteries and women's congregations were admitted by association into the Benedictine Confederation, but not with full rights. Their status in the Confederation did not give them the possibility of helping each other through regular meetings and international contacts. First steps to form a network between Benedictines after Vatican II In Paragraph 23 of the Decree Perfectae Caritatis , this conciliar document concerning the renewal of religious life, conferences and councils of major superiors are expressly encouraged as a means of bringing small communities out of isolation and sharing potential. Since 1893 the Congress of Abbots was such a conference of major superiors comprising all Benedictine monasteries. From 1965 it became clear that something had to be done to create a similar possibility for the Benedictines. 1968 The Synod of Abbot Presidents around Abbot Primate Rembert Weakland voted that the Primate would constitute a Commission for the nuns and sisters and that this Commission would be divided into two sections, one for the nuns and one for the sisters, but with the ( the ?) same secretary for both. It was also decided that these two consultative groups would be made up of an equal number of men and women (Circular letter to the Benedictines of October 28, 1968). These two Commissions met separately around the Abbot Primate a number of times over the following years. 1972 The Synod of Presidents decides to invite the Commission of Nuns and several prioresses general of Benedictine sisters as observers to the Congress of Abbots. 1980 The Confederation organized a centenary symposium to celebrate the 1500th anniversary of the birth of Saint Benedict. Fifty-five abbesses and prioresses were invited to represent the women. It was the first time that Benedictine abbesses and prioresses, nuns and sisters from various traditions and from various parts of the world met in Rome, but then only as guests at the Congress of Abbots. 1984 The two Commissions meet together for the first time to discuss the possibility of a common meeting of nuns and sisters. 1987 The Benedictine sisters invite sixteen nuns and forty sisters for an assembly on the implications of the rule of Saint Benedict for the life of Benedictines, to the Casa Santo Spirito , general house of the Benedictine sisters of Tutzing in Rome. This first symposium organized by the sisters had a pioneering role for cooperation between nuns and sisters. 1988 The two Commissions merged around Abbot Primate Victor Dammertz. Members were to be representatives of eighteen regions of the world, international congregations and the AIM. An Executive Committee was to organize the following symposium, common to all. The Executive Committee wrote a first draft of the statutes with the help of Abbot Primate Victor Dammertz. For more details, see the CIB website: http://www.benedictines-cib.org/ List of Regions sending delegates to the CIB Conference 1. Italy, Malta 2. Spain, Portugal 3. France, Israel website 4. Great Britain, Ireland 5. Benelux 6. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia (AASS) 7. Poland 8. Croatia 9. USA, Canada (with 3 delegates) 10. ABECCA (Benedictine-Cistercian Association of the Caribbean and the Andes: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bahamas, Cuba, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Bolivia, Venezuela) 11. Brazil 12. Cono-Sur (Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay) 13. Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam 14. Philippines 15. Oceania 16. East Africa 17. Central and West Africa, Madagascar 18. South Africa, Namibia, Angola 19. India, Sri Lanka Member communities of the European Benedictine Congregation of the Resurrection : Germany: Dinklage, Bonn-Steinfeld, Alexanderdorf France: Simiane-Collongue Belgium: Liège and Hurtebise Netherlands: Oosterhout and Egmond-Binnen Sweden: Omberg (Vadstena) Lithuania: Kaunas Spain: Montserrat Member communities of the Monastic Congregation of Saint Hildegard (Spain): Alba de Tormes, Algezares, Alzuza, Aranda de Duero, Barcelona, Burgos, Cuenca, Cuntis, El Tiemblo, Estella, Jaca, León, Madrid Encarnación, Madrid Natividad, Oñati, Oviedo, Palacio de Benaver, Sahagún, San Pedro de las dueñas, Santiago de Compostela, Trasmaño, Valfermoso de las Monjas, Zamora, casa San José Zamora, Zaragoza. COMMUNITIES 6 There are numerous communities in the world today that follow the Rule of Saint Benedict. They are present on five continents. Here, presented country by country, the contact details of all these communities. Europe 0 Africa 0 North America 0 South America 0 Asia 0 Oceania 0 See all countries See all communities