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January 15, 2026 Abbot General Mauro-Giuseppe celebrated his name day in Ethiopia during several days of fruitful meetings with all the Cistercian monastic communities in Addis Ababa, organized by Apostolic Commissioner Monsignor Angelo Pagano, OFMCap. Ocist.org

On 15 January 2026, the community of Mepkin (Diocese of Charleston, South Carolina, USA) elected Dom Gerard Jonas Palmares as abbot for a six-year term. Dom Gerard was born in 1964 in Lipa City (Philippines). He was was ordained a priest in the Philippines in 1991 before entered Mepkin in 2010, where he made his solemn profession in 2017. ocso.org

On January 10, 2026, Sister Gennifer Gadian made solemn profession at the monastery of Our Lady of Mt. Matutum (Philippines). Sister Gennifer was born in 1989 in Polomolok, South Cotabato (Philippines); she entered Matutum in 2016 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org

On January 10, 2026, Sister Marie-Marthe Cogan made solemn profession at the monastery of N.-D. de La Coudre (France). Sister Marie-Marthe was born in 1976 in Angers (France); she entered Laval in 2018 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org

On December 28, 2025, the Feast of the Holy Family, Dom Mauro Giuseppe Lepori erected the sui juris Priory of Our Lady of the Snows, in accordance with the Decree issued by the Holy See on October 3, 2025. The following day, during the Regular Visitation of the community, he presided over the election of the first prioress: Mother Anne Dugas , previously appointed prioress by the founding abbess of Boulaur Abbey. Mother Elisabeth Unal, OCSO, prioress of the Monastery of La Paix-Dieu in Cabanoule, was present as co-visitator. She represented the OCSO, which generously ceded this abbey to the sisters. The abbey was founded in 1850 by Trappist monks from Aiguebelle, and it was there that Saint Charles de Foucauld completed his novitiate and prepared for his priestly ordination. The new prioress and the entire community commend themselves to everyone's prayers. ocist.org https://notredamedesneiges.com/

aim-usa.org

I am writing these lines on the feast of the Epiphany. The Holy Year ended today, and at the same time a gathering of cardinals is beginning here in Rome, at which Pope Leo will presumably discuss some guiding ideas of his pontificate. We are quite eager to see what emerges. The political events of recent days have once again made it clear that we are living at a turning point in history. What will the role of us Catholics be? Everywhere we are loyal citizens of our states, but we are also citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven. The feast of the Epiphany reminds us that the message of the Gospel applies equally to all people. At a time when universalism has almost become a dirty word, we hold fast to the conviction that with the Incarnation of God all people were meant, are meant. This is not a marginal issue, but a central content of our faith. In the liturgy today we sing Tribus Miraculis — of the three mysteries. The Incarnation, the wedding at Cana and the baptism of Jesus are contemplated together. The Church Fathers explain how, at the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan, the whole world was sanctified. The baptismal water of Jesus mingled with the waters of the Caribbean, with the Chinese Sea and also with the rivers that flow through Russia and Ukraine. Christianity is not partisan; it is all-encompassing and applies to all. What does this mean for us? Here at the Anselmianum there are currently residents of the college from 36 countries, and our monasteries are established in almost all countries of the world. Are we can we be agents of this message that all humanity is called to fraternity, and that all societies are to serve the common good, not just a small circle? Today this can sound almost subversive. But it is not a secret message: at Epiphany it became visible to all. — The papal visit on 11 November, which was discussed so extensively in the last issue of Nexus, has continued to resonate with us. The Secretary General of the university, Cardinali, put together a commemorative booklet that was completed in time for Christmas and brought much joy. Attentive eyes noticed that at one of the Christmas liturgies Pope Leo wore the mitre he had received as a gift after his visit with us. It must truly have pleased him or at least his sacristan. Some of the things I can write about today are more announcements than reports. In November I was able to appoint Abbot Emeritus Jean-Pierre Longeat of Ligugé, the long-standing president of AIM, as my delegate for the Benedictine Oblates. Last autumn it became clear that the Oblates wish to continue cultivating and developing global cooperation and that the World Congresses of Oblates are also to be continued. I am grateful to Abbot Jean-Pierre for taking this on. Of course, he cannot do this alone. A support team is currently being formed, and there will be more to report on this soon. The same phrase—“more soon”—also applies to the long-awaited new Catalogus . More than a year has now passed since the reference date of 1 January 2025. Data collection proved unexpectedly difficult, but we are now on the final stretch. A last revision is underway, and before long it will be possible to obtain the printed Schematismus. For reasons of data protection there will probably not be a complete electronic Schematismus, but the data will be made accessible in other ways, as a new Atlas OSB and with statistical material. And one more announcement: preparations for the Benedictine Jubilee 529–2029 are in full swing. By March at the latest, the plans and the jubilee materials are to be published. In recent days I have once again become aware of how many opportunities Sant’Anselmo offers. Alongside our in-house courses of study, residents of the college can take part in numerous specialised programmes here in Rome. Most of these programmes can be combined with other studies: archival studies in the Vatican Secret Archive, practical canon law for religious in the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life, and the course for beatifications and canonisations at the relevant dicastery. From this year onwards, Sant’Anselmo is also offering a specialised course in Gregorian chant for college residents, taught by both external and internal instructors. In addition, our library director offers a one-year internship in the local library, with external modules at the Vatican Library and the Italian National Library. Those who study at Sant’Anselmo are not formed only philosophically and theologically, monastically or liturgically. With the appropriate interest and commitment, they can return to their monasteries as broadly formed religious men. Not everyone has a whole year at their disposal. This coming summer we will once again offer three English-language programmes: Leadership and the Rule of Saint Benedict, the Summer Studium for Oblates, and Monastic Aggiornamento, a short sabbatical-style programme focusing on faith, culture and the monastic tradition. — In the coming months several international Benedictine gatherings are planned in which I intend to take part. I will travel to the ISBF in Kappadu (India), to the workshop of the North American abbots in Mexico, to the meeting of BECOSA in South Africa and to the assembly of West African Benedictines in Senegal. In addition, short stays in Chevetogne and in the Holy Land are planned. It will therefore not be easy to find me in Rome, but I am almost always reachable by email. Some may have noticed that in November, after a knee injury, I had to walk on crutches for a time. Thanks to physiotherapy and a restful holiday in December, everything is now back in order. The crutch has been put away and I am mobile and ready to travel again. At 61 years of age, I no longer belong to the young—especially not in this house. But as long as Brother Body continues to cooperate, I am in good spirits and at your service to the best of my ability. With warm greetings from the Aventine, Yours, Jeremias Schröder OSB Abbot Primate See all articles from NEXUS - January 2026: https://osb.org/2026/01/06/notes-from-the-aventine-november-december/

With great joy, shortly before Christmas, we learned that the Italian abbess Noemi Scarpa OSB of the Abbey of Bastia Umbra was appointed on 15 December as Pontifical Commissioner for the monastery of Tor de’ Specchi. Tor de’ Specchi is the monastery of the *Oblates of Saint Frances of Rome*, a Benedictine foundation established by the saint in 1433. The previous pontifical commissioner had shown little understanding of Benedictine tradition and most recently, in September, expelled the Benedictine sisters who were studying and teaching in the monastery. This regime has now come to an end, and the new commissioner intends to restore Benedictine stability to the monastery, which is located in the historic centre of Rome. On 28 November, Abbot Primate Jeremias appointed the former Abbot of Ligugé and long-serving president of AIM, Abbot emeritus Jean-Pierre Longeat , as his delegate for the Benedictine Oblates. Together with a support team yet to be appointed, Abbot Jean-Pierre will foster connections among oblate communities worldwide and initiate preparations for the next World Congress of Oblates. Nexus - January 2026: https://osb.org/en/2026/01/06/evenements-elections-et-nominations-novembre-decembre/

At the beginning of a new year, we would like to inform you of some important dates in the life of our Order: 1) The online training course for the Order will be from June 2-6, 2025. This year it is entitled: “LITURGIA VISSUTA” (“Living the Liturgy”). 2) The monastic formation course (CFM) will take place from August 25 to September 19, 2025. 3) The course for the superiors of the Order , entitled “Pilgrims in Hope”, will be held from September 23-27 (mornings only), 2025. We invite you to take note of these dates, hoping for your participation. ocist.org Monastic formation course (CFM).

In accordance with Cst. 69.2, the Abbot General, with the consent of his Council, has granted permission for the opening of novitiates in the following foundations: Munkeby (Diocese of Trondheim, Norway) Bàdi (Diocese of Tambacounda, Senegal) Porta Coeli, Akokwa (Diocese of Orlu, Nigeria) We commend these communities to the Lord and support them with our prayer, imploring His blessing upon their future growth, perseverance, and flourishing in monastic life. ocso.org Munkeby.

On December 28, 2025, Feast of the Holy Family, Brother Godric Hathorn made solemn profession at the monastery of Gethsemani (United States). Brother Godric was born in 1975 in Gulfport, Mississippi (United States). He entered Gethsemani in 2019 and made his first profession in 2021. ocso.org https://monks.org/

6 December 2025 We are brothers and sisters, one body in Christ, and we do not leave any of them alone, especially those who are in difficult situations, but bear one another’s burdens in charity. Thank you for all the uplifting congratulations and prayers! ocso.org