So for the monk it an always be Easter, just as it is also always Lent. Of the new man, born of the Passover of Jesus, prayer is the keystone, as it were. For like death, and even above an beyond death, praying is ‘love to the utmost’ (Joh 13:1)… In it man is able to reach his complete and supreme fulfilment. (Dom André Louf ocso, Teach us to pray , p. 48) ocso.org

Here is the new newsletter published by the Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance (OCSO) on training: https://ocso.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Newsletter-38-EN.pdf ocso.org

The Monastery of São Bento in Fortaleza is now officially part of the Benedictine Congregation of Brazil. Founded by Dom Beda Pereira de Holanda in 1993, it was previously part of the Diocese of Fortaleza. The Monastery of São Bento in Fortaleza has officially become part of the Benedictine Congregation of Brazil. This decision was authorized by the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Previously of a diocesan nature, the monastery was founded in 1993 through the personal initiative of Dom Beda Pereira de Holanda (+2014), who was then the Abbot of the Monastery of Olinda. Dom Beda, who passed away in 2014, also served as the parish priest of Nossa Senhora da Imaculada Conceição de Messejana and identified Paupina as a suitable location for the monastery. The foundation took place on 25 March 1993, with the approval of Cardinal Aloísio Lorscheider. © MACÍLIO GOMES, CC BY 3.0 The Monastery of São Bento in Fortaleza will now be a simple priory, directly dependent on the Abbot President of the Brazilian Congregation. Currently, the monastic community includes seven solemnly professed members, one temporary professed member, three novices, and two postulants. The official announcement of this happy occasion was made on the Feast of the Transit of São Bento, 21 March, when Prior D. Marcos Martins Gomes, who was already serving in this role in the diocesan monastery, was appointed. A solemn thanksgiving Mass was celebrated to mark the event. The Mass was presided over by the Archbishop Emeritus of Fortaleza, D. José Antônio Aparecido Tosi Marques, who oversaw the monastery when it was first founded. Concelebrating were the current Archbishop of Fortaleza, D. Gregório Ben Lâmed Paixão, OSB; President of the Benedictine Congregation of Brazil and Archabbot of the Monastery of Salvador, D. Emanuel D'Able do Amaral; and Abbot of the Monastery of Olinda, D. Luiz Pedro Soares. This incorporation is a joyous occasion for the Benedictine Congregation of Brazil, which now comprises eight male monasteries and 16 female monasteries, with a total of 137 monks and 247 nuns. The dedication and vision of Dom Beda Pereira de Holanda in establishing this foundation are truly commendable. osb.org

Bulletin No. 127, 2024 : “Transition”. Contents   Editorial Dom Bernard Lorent Tayart, osb, President of AIM   Perspectives • Intervention at the Abbots’ Congress Dom Jean-Pierre Longeat, OSB, outgoing President of AIM • Intervention at the Abbots' Congress Dom Gregory Polan, OSB, outgoing Abbot Primate • Dom Jeremias Schröder, Abbot Primate From an article for Vatican News   See more

Pope Leo XIV welcomed the newly elected Abbot General and all participants to the General Chapter of the Vallombrosan Congregation on 28 June 2025, urging continued fidelity to Gospel simplicity. In a measured, pastoral tone, Pope Leo XIV expressed gratitude for the Vallombrosan witness: “your monastic life… recalling the entire Church to the primacy of God as the source of joy and the basis of personal and social transformation”. Drawing inspiration from their founder, Saint John Gualbert, he acknowledged the fragility inherent in both monastic beginnings and today’s communities. Yet, he reaffirmed: rooted in the unadorned Gospel – sine glossa – the fragrance of its beauty endures. Highlighting the continual call to renewal, the Pope referenced Saint Paul VI’s words from 1973 on establishing a novum institutum that returns to genuine prayer and apostolic life –this remains “a leaven of new life” . He echoed Pope Francis in emphasising Vatican II’s ongoing vocation: overcoming self-referentialism, embracing poverty, listening to the poor, and strengthening communion –particularly with other Benedictine congregations– to remain faithful to the Rule while engaging today’s world. He concluded with a hopeful encouragement and imparted his Apostolic Blessing . The Vallombrosan Congregation: A Brief History The Vallombrosan Congregation was founded in the early eleventh century by Saint John Gualbert, a Florentine noble who experienced a profound conversion after forgiving his brother’s murderer. Seeking a life of deeper Gospel fidelity, he established the monastery of Vallombrosa in the Tuscan hills, forming a community marked by ascetic discipline, strict observance of the Rule of Saint Benedict, and a commitment to Church reform. The congregation grew rapidly in the Middle Ages and played a notable role in the struggle against simony. It was one of the first to organise lay brothers to support the monastic life. Though it experienced decline in later centuries, the congregation endures today as part of the Benedictine Confederation, with its motherhouse still located at Vallombrosa and a small number of monasteries continuing its spiritual legacy. Pope Leo’s exhortation invites the Vallombrosan Congregation to heed its origins with renewed simplicity, unity and prophetic presence. Grounded in their rich history –from John Gualbert’s mercy and reform to medieval influence– they are called today to a lived fidelity that speaks powerfully to contemporary culture. osb.org https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/events/event.dir.html/content/vaticanevents/en/2025/6/28/congregazione-vallombrosana.html

On June 27, 2025, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Sister Giusy Picone made solemn profession at the monastery of Valserena (Italy). Sister Giusy was born in 1973 in Sciacca (Italy). She entered Valserena in 2017 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org

On June 28, 2025, Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Brother Nikolaus Arno made solemn profession at the monastery of Lamanabi (Indonesia). Brother Niko was born in 1987 in Ende (Indonesia). He entered Lamanabi in 2018 and made first profession in 2021. ocso.org

On June 28, 2025, Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Mariana de Jesús Quiñónez Luisamano made solemn profession at the monastery of Esmeraldas (Ecuador). Sister Mariana was born in 1957 in Esmeraldas (Ecuador). She entered Esmeraldas in 2016 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org

From 1 to 8 June, the abbesses of five communities: Maredret (Belgium), Sovu (Rwanda), Zhytomyr (Ukraine) and Saint Lucia (online), as well as a representative of the abbey in Ahuatepec (Mexico), met at the oldest female abbey of the Congregation in Maredret. Together with delegates chosen by the communities, they participated in the first Synod of Nuns in the Congregation's history, chaired by the Abbot President and his two assistants: Fr. Brendan Coffey (Glenstal) and Fr. Bernard Lorent (Maredsous). The main topic of discussion was the development of “General Norms for the Nuns of the Congregation of the Annunciation”. An opportunity to discuss formation, solidarity and monastic enclosure was also given to the participants. The meeting resulted in many ideas and practical conclusions. Now, we hope to put them all into practice, step by step. https://www.annuntiatio.org/aktualnosci/news/107884/the-first-synod-of-nuns-of-the-annunciation-congregation

Mother Alberica Ueno Chiaki, abbess of Imari (Diocese of Fukuoka, Japan) since 2023, reached the age of retirement mentioned in ST 40.A of the Constitutions presented her resignation to the Abbot General. The Abbot General with the consent of his Council accepted the resignation, which became effective on June 2nd 2025. On 18 June 2025, the community elected Sister Agnes Yoshioka Misao as Abbess for a six-year term. Mother Agnes was born in 1962 in Japan. She entered Imari in 2012 and made her solemn profession in 2018. At the time of her election, she was a confectionery manager and infirmarian of the community. ocso.org https://www.imari-trappistines.org/

The Benedictine monks of Mariastein Abbey have elected Father Ludwig Rudolf Ziegerer OSB as their new abbot. The election, held on 18 June 2025 under the leadership of Abbot Vigeli Monn OSB of Disentis, was conducted according to the statutes of the Swiss Benedictine Congregation. Fr. Ludwig will serve a six-year term, beginning immediately. Born in 1956 in Maienfeld, Fr. Ludwig trained as a teacher in Chur and worked in education for several years before entering Mariastein Abbey in 1985. He completed theological studies in Chur and Jerusalem, was ordained a priest in 1992, and has since held several leadership roles in the community, including prior, novice master and director of pilgrimage. Beyond the abbey, he has been active in teaching and pastoral care and completed studies in logotherapy inspired by Viktor E. Frankl. He succeeds Abbot Peter von Sury OSB, who retired in January 2025 at the age of seventy-five. Fr. Ludwig has been leading the community in the interim as prior. Following the canonical election and profession of faith, the next step will be the abbatial blessing. Bishop Felix Gmür of Basel is scheduled to confer this on 20 September 2025 in the abbey’s basilica. Mariastein Abbey, located in the canton of Solothurn near the French border, is a Benedictine monastery founded in the seventeenth century following the expansion of an earlier pilgrimage site. Its origins are tied to the legend of a child miraculously saved after falling from a cliff, inspiring the building of a chapel and later a monastery. After Einsiedeln, it remains the second most significant pilgrimage destination in Switzerland. Today, the Mariastein community numbers twelve monks. osb.org https://www.kloster-mariastein.ch/ © Kloster Mariastein, Simon Mugier

Dom Raphaël García Pelayo, secretary to the Abbot General, was appointed Superior ad nutum of Acey and he is replaced by Brother Cassant Eddy Rianto of the Monastery of Rawaseneng. Brother Cassant was born in 1970 in Yogyakarta (Indonesia). He entered Rawaseneng in 2011 and made his solemn profession in 2017. We are grateful to Dom Raphaël for all his diligent work and assure him of our fraternal prayers, and extend our best wishes to Brother Cassant for his new service to the Generalate. ocso.org