On 11 September 2025 the community of Melk Abbey (Austria) elected Fr Ludwig Wenzl as their 68th abbot. The election was presided over by Abbot President Johannes Perkmann. Abbot Ludwig succeeds Abbot Georg Wilfinger, who has led the Abbey since 2001. Born Karl Wenzl in 1985 in Waidhofen an der Ybbs, the new abbot entered Melk in 2011 and made his solemn profession in 2014. He was ordained priest in 2021. Within the Abbey he has worked in education, culture and tourism, and has been responsible for the archives and collections. The community entrusted him with a 12-year mandate, confirmed in the traditional rite of handshake and sign of peace. Abbot Ludwig will formally take office on 7 November 2025. osb.org https://www.stiftmelk.at/aktuelles-events/aktuelles/p-ludwig-wenzl-osb-wurde-zum-68-abt-des-benediktinerstiftes-melk-gewaehlt/

The Holy Father has officially confirmed the election by the monastic chapter of Einsiedeln Abbey of the Reverend Fr. Urban Federer , OSB, as ordinary Abbot of the Territorial Abbey of Maria Einsiedeln, Switzerland. The election took place on 30 August 2025, and Fr. Federer was chosen for a second term, also of 12 years. This marks a historic moment: for the first time in the Abbey’s history an incumbent abbot has been re-elected. Born 17 August 1968 in Zürich-Fluntern, in the Diocese of Chur, Abbot Urban made his solemn profession in 1992, was ordained in 1994, and holds advanced degrees in German literature, history and medieval German studies from the University of Fribourg. He has also taught religion, history and German in the Abbey school, lectured in spirituality and Gregorian chant at the Abbey’s theological institute, and served in roles including Prior, vicar general and director of the monastic choir. The community of Einsiedeln has already marked the re-election with a liturgy on 13 September, during which the monks presented the traditional homagium, a gesture of obedience and fraternity offered to their abbot. A solemn thanksgiving liturgy will follow on 4 October 2025 in the abbey church at 14:00, to which all are welcome. osb.org https://www.kloster-einsiedeln.ch

The General Chapter of the Trappist Order will take place at the General House from 3 to 24 September 2025. Let us pray for our brothers and sisters during these weeks of sharing, reflection and fraternity. You can consult the blog created by the young brothers and sisters of the Order: https://ocsogc2025.blogspot.com/ ocso.org

On August 23, 2025, Sister Clotilde Gennet made solemn profession at the monastery of N.-D. de La Coudre (France). Sister Clotilde was born in 1987 in Saint-Malo (France). She entered Laval in 2017 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org https://www.abbaye-coudre.fr/

On the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the patronal feast of the entire Order, Our Lady of Thien Phuoc Abbey joyfully celebrated the profession of vows of 11 brothers: 6 making temporary profession and 5 making solemn profession. In communion, we give thanks to God and pray that these brothers may remain faithful and persevere in their monastic vocation, and that the Lord may continue to bless the Order with vocations. ocist.org

On August 20, 2025, Solemnity of Saint Bernard, Sister Jitka Pacíková made solemn profession at the monastery of Naši Paní (Czech Rep.). Sister Jitka was born in 1988 in Znojmo (Czech Rep.). She entered Naši Paní in 2017 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org https://www.trapistky.cz/

We inform you of a new scam attempt of fake mails. This is obviously a scam. Please be careful. Below we present the emails that some Superiors have received: Lieber Bruder, Diese freundschaftliche und brüderliche Nachricht wird Ihnen von Ihrem Bruder und Freund, Kardinal Fridolin Ambongo, Metropolitischer Erzbischof von Kinshasa, übermittelt. Ich erlaube mir zudem, mich an Eure Exzellenz zu wenden, um um eine moralische, spirituelle und eine materielle Unterstützung in Form einer Spende zu bitten, für die Organisation der Beerdigungen der 15 im Kongo von rebellierenden Soldaten getöteten Priester. Vereint im Gebet. ✠ Kardinal Fridolin Ambongo, O.F.M. Cap Erzbischof von Kinshasa, Präsident des Symposiums der Bischofskonferenzen von Afrika und Madagaskar (SCEAM) ocist.org

On August 18, 2025, Brother Alberic Henry made solemn profession at the monastery of Gethsemani (USA). Brother Alberic was born in 1975 in Cleveland, Ohio (USA). He entered Gethsemani in 2020 and made first profession in 2022. ocso.org https://monks.org/

On August 15, 2025, Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Brother, Stefano Santini made solemn profession at the monastery of Azul (Argentina). Brother Stefano was born in 1989 in Paraná (Argentina). He entered Azul in 2019 and made first profession in 2022. ocso.org https://www.trapenses.com.ar/#!/-inicio/

On August 17, 2025, Mother Maria Francesca Righi completed her term of six years as Abbess of Valserena (Diocese of Volterra, Italy). On the same day, Mother Maria Francesca was re-elected Abbess of the Community for a new six-year term. ocso.org https://www.valserena.it/

On July 26, 2025, Brother Fabrice Ahandessi and Brother Gontran-Marie Koudenou made solemn profession at the monastery of Kokoubou (Benin). Brother Ahandessi was born in 1985 in Cotonou (Benin). He entered Kokoubou in 2017 and made first profession in 2020. Brother Koudenou was born in 1993 in Azohouè-Aliho (Benin). He entered Kokoubou in 2018 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org

On August 09, 2025, Feast of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Sister Anne-Elisabeth Janicot made solemn profession at the monastery of Notre-Dame de La Coudre (France). Sister Anne-Elisabeth was born in 1970 in Tulle (France). She entered La Coudre in 2017 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org