https://servantesdespauvres-osb.org: A group of youth leaders from the Patronage welcome Pope Leo XIV to Paris – An account by Constance and Laetitia Saturday 26 September 2026 will remain a special day for us, a day we will cherish in our hearts for a long time to come, says Constance. After several hours’ drive, we finally arrived in Paris. And what a thrill it was to see that huge crowd! Nearly 800,000 people had gathered at the Place de la Concorde to attend the Mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV. Young people, families, children, the elderly… all generations were united in the same faith, the same hope and the same joy. When the Popemobile appeared on the giant screens, a huge cheer went up: ‘Long live Pope Leo!’ The Vatican’s white and yellow flags were waving in every direction. Then, just as the Popemobile was driving down the Champs-Élysées, the sun came out. It was a magnificent moment. We almost felt as though the heavens themselves were taking part in this great celebration. For me, that day was particularly moving. On several occasions, I had tears in my eyes. It wasn’t sadness, quite the opposite. It was a deep emotion, difficult to put into words, as if something were touching my heart directly. Seeing so many people gathered together in calm, joy and peace made a deep impression on me. In the midst of such a huge crowd, there was neither violence nor disorder. Just smiles, songs, prayers and that very strong sense of experiencing something truly great, all together. At a time when some churches are sometimes almost empty, seeing such a large crowd gathered together in their faith did me a world of good. It restored my hope. It also reminded me that we are not alone in believing, praying and wanting to live out our faith. Laëtitia, too, was deeply moved by this experience. She shares her thoughts with great simplicity: “It was an intense experience and a very interesting one to go through. Living out my faith with the Servants of the Poor, but also as part of such a large group, was a first for me. It’s an experience I’d love to have again. Admittedly, the wait was long and the day tiring, but I have no regrets about having been part of it.” Her words sum up well what we were able to experience. Yes, we waited a long time. Yes, the day was tiring. But how fortunate we were to have been able to experience such a moment! In the end, the tiredness paled in comparison to the joy of having been there, together, at the heart of this vast gathering. That day also allowed us to share a wonderful moment of communion. Communion amongst ourselves, with everyone present, but also with those who were unable to make the journey and whom we kept in our thoughts and prayers. We leave with our minds full of memories and, above all, with something even deeper in our hearts: a renewed faith, greater hope and the joy of having shared this experience together. A huge thank you to the Servants of the Poor, and particularly to our Sister Jeanne Maia, for enabling us to experience this exceptional day. Thank you, Most Holy Father, for coming to meet us as a Father. https://servantesdespauvres-osb.org/pape-leon-a-paris-une-journee-qui-restera-gravee-dans-nos-coeurs/ To support AIM’s projects, you can make a donation: https://www.aimintl.org/en/sustain

On 26 and 27 September 2026, Schlierbach Abbey in Austria celebrated the 300th anniversary of the consecration of its abbey church. Let us pray for this community and ask God to shower it with His blessings! ocist.org https://www.stift-schlierbach.at/

Mother Maria Francesca Righi, abbess of the monastery of Nostra Signora di Valserena (diocese of Voltera, Italy) since 2019, offered her resignation to the Abbot General in the light of ST 40.A of our Constitutions. With the consent of his Council, the Abbot General accepted the resignation, which became effective on September 12th, 2026. On 29th September 2026, the community of Valserena elected Sr. Valeria Carolo as abbess for a six-year term. Mother Valeria was born in 1983 in Milan (Italy). She entered the monastery of Valserena in 2010 and made her solemn profession in 2016. At the time of her election, she was the temporary professed director of the community. ocso.org https://www.valserena.it/

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. A IM Let's put together Heaven on Earth ORA ET LABORA Since 1961 official joint solidarity platform O SB – C IB – O CIST – O CSO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT AIM W elcome to A ssociatio I nternationalis M onastica We work for the growth and development of monastic life today around the world The Associatio Internationalis Monastica (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 Associatio Internationalis Monastica (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 5 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 the 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 SPECIALS 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 A IM around the world 1,157 COMMUNITIES FEMININE 1,762 COMMUNITIES AND MISSIONS OSB - OCSO - OCIST See more > 605 COMMUNITIES MASCULINE

Please use the form provided to submit any inquiries or comments you may have. We will respond as soon as possible. C ONTACT US Please use the form below to submit any inquiries or comments you may have. We will respond as soon as possible. First Name Last Name E-mail Name of the monastery Language Choose a language Message Sent Thank you for what you sent ! Requests for financial aid from monasteries Note: All requests for financial aid from monasteries must be sent via the form above

S UPPORT A IM Your donation helps the Associatio Internationalis Monastica to promote and encourage cooperation and solidarity between monasteries. It contributes to the human, cultural and spiritual formation of communities and supports the exchange of ideas and experiences. We thank you for your contribution to support all of our actions. Support our missions A ssociatio I nternationalis M onastica The AIM supports the projects selected by the Executive Committee and in particular those which have a religious character (training, constructions, etc.). You can make a donation to AIM, but you will not be able to receive a tax receipt. If you would like a tax receipt, see opposite with the Benedictus Foundation. THANKS. Learn more B enedictus F oundation It is a Foundation sheltered by the Caritas France Foundation. The Benedictus Foundation, in close connection with the AIM, supports the social works of monasteries . You can make a donation to support them and receive a tax receipt. Learn more Make a donation to A IM No tax receipt Head office: AIM, 7 rue d'Issy, 92170 Vanves President: Father Bernard LORENT Donate through AIM By bank check to the order of: Associatio Internationalis Monastica to be sent to the address: Associatio Internationalis Monastica, Secretariat, 7 rue d'Issy - 92170 Vanves Wire Transfer If you wish to make a donation and receive a tax receipt , you must send this donation to Fondation Benedictus, as indicated opposite Make a donation to the Foundation With tax receipt You can help the Benedictus Foundation by making a donation • By credit card Online fondationcaritasfrance.org/fondations/fondation-benedictus/ By bank check to the order of: Benedictus Foundation to be sent to the following address: Fondation Benedictus c/o AMTM 7 rue d'Issy - 92170 Vanves Tax advantages The Benedictus Foundation works under the aegis of the Caritas France Foundation, founded by Secours Catholique. The Caritas France Foundation, recognized as being of public utility, allows you to benefit from tax deductions for the IFI and IR, on your donations and generosity. Our work Associatio Internationalis Monastica's mission is to promote and encourage cooperation and solidarity among monasteries. Our work includes supporting community-led projects and facilitating exchanges between monastic communities to foster spiritual, cultural, and human development. Explore our gallery to learn more about our work and the communities we serve.