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On Tuesday, 25 February 2025, the community of Seitenstetten Abbey (Austria), chaired by Abbot President Johannes Perkmann, re-elected Abbot Petrus Pilsinger for a second term of office by canonical vote. His new term of office extends until he reaches the age of 70. The new election took place at the end of his previous twelve-year term of office. We wish the re-elected abbot God’s blessing for his ministry. We ask all those who feel connected to our monastic community for their prayers. We ask for prayers for Abbot Petrus and the community. On behalf of the community, Prior Fr. Laurentius Resch OSB osb.org https://stift-seitenstetten.at/ Petrus Pilsinger. Community of Seitenstetten Abbey with the elected Abbot Petrus Pilsinger and the election commission Abbot President Johannes Perkmann (Michaelbeuern Abbey), Abbot Gerhard Hafner (Admont Abbey) and Prior Fr. Michael Hüttl (Altenburg Abbey) Photo credits Seitenstetten Abbey, Josef Penzendorfer.

On February 9, 2025, in Asmara (Eritrea), Br. Abraham Habtemariam made his solemn profession in the presence of the Abbot Negusse Woldai. The community asks the prayers of the Order for this brother. ocist.org

On Friday 7 February 2025, the Benedictine monks of En-Calcat (France) elected Father Maximilien Pietrzak abbot of the community. https://encalcat.com/

AIM-USA is the United States Secretariat of the InterMonastery Alliance. Twice a year it publishes a newsletter reporting on its activities with communities on different continents. https://aim-usa.org

Some community projects supported by AIM: https://www.aimintl.org/en/our-projects/all

The appointment of two new coordinators for the Monastic Formators’ Program was announced 11 February by Abbot Primate Jeremias Schröder OSB. Brother Colmán Ó Clabaigh OSB, of Glenstal Abbey, and Sister Marie Johann Heo OSB, of the Generalate District of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, will jointly lead the program. Brother Colmán is a medieval historian, author, and monk of Glenstal Abbey in County Limerick, Ireland, which is a place of prayer, work, education and hospitality. He received his doctorate from the National University of Ireland in 1998. He also has been a visiting professor at St John’s University, Collegeville, MN, USA, and a Burns Visiting Scholar at Boston College. Sister Marie Johann is a member of the Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing, whose Generalate is in Rome. The Missionary Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing have a presence in 16 countries across Europe, Africa, the Americas and Asia. Their ministries include education, healthcare, pastoral work and spiritual formation. The Monastic Formators’ Program is a 12-week program designed to meet the needs of those working in the field of monastic formation or preparing to do so in the future. The program takes place in Rome and Assisi and is intended for monks, nuns and sisters who follow the Rule of St. Benedict. The program aims to provide a deeper appreciation of the monastic tradition and its values. It includes study, community living and reflection, and also includes trips to places of Christian and monastic heritage. The appointment of Brother Colmán and Sister Marie Johann marks the beginning of a new chapter for the MFP, which was founded in 2002. Abbot Primate Jeremias expressed his gratitude to the former directors, Abbot Brendan Thomas OSB, and Abbot President Javier Aparicio Suárez OSB, for their leadership and wished the new coordinators God’s blessing. osb.org https://www.collegiosantanselmo.com/en/curia-of-the-benedictine-order/monastic-formators-program/

Mother Anne-Emmanuelle Devêche, Abbess of Blauvac (archdiocese of Avignon, France) since 1999, reached the age mentioned in St. 40.A of the Constitutions and submitted her resignation to the Abbot General who accepted it with the consent of his Council. The resignation became effective on 19 February 2025. On 22 February 2025, Mother Marie Christine Vilmain, abbess of Rivet, to whom is currently delegated the authority of Father Immediate of the community of Blauvac, appointed Sister Bénédicte de la Croix Avon as superior ad nutum of Blauvac, with effect from 23 February 2025. Mother Anne-Emmanuelle continues to hold the authority of Father Immediate of the community of Fons Pacis, Syria, until the General Chapter of 2025. ocso.org https://abbaye-blauvac.com/

On 19 February 2025, the community of Sorá (Archdiocese of Panama, Panama) elected Mother Fabiana Barrera as Titular Prioress of the Community. At the time of her election, she was Superior ad nutum of Sorá. ocso.org

On 17th February 2025, at the end of his fifth abbatial mandate, Dom Isidoro Anguita Fontecha was re-elected Abbot of the Abbey of Santa María de Huerta (diocese of Osma-Soria, Spain) for a new six-year term. ocso.org https://monasteriohuerta.org/

On February 12, 2025 the community of Frauenthal (Switzerland) elected Sr. Bede Berg as their new abbess. Let us thank God for this choice and ask the Holy Spirit to guide the new abbess for the good of her community. ocist.org https://www.kloster-frauenthal.ch/

On February 8, 2025, Father Prior Bruno, President of the Congregation of St. Gertrude, named Mother Petra Articus administrator of the Monastery of St. Marienthal (Germany) for three years. We thank God for the generosity of M. Petra and we pray for the wellbeing of the community. ocist.org https://www.kloster-marienthal.de/

On 11th February 2025, at the end of her first abbatial mandate, Mother Sofia Millican was re-elected Abbess of Mount St. Mary’s Abbey, Wrentham (Archdiocese of Boston, USA) for a new six-year term. ocso.org https://msmabbey.org/