Search results

On July 11, 2024, Solemnity of Our Father Saint Benedict, Brother Kizito Kimuli made solemn profession at the monastery of Victoria (Uganda). Brother Kizito was born in 1985 in Nakulabye (Uganda). He entered Victoria in 2014 and made first profession in 2017. OCSO

On 9 August 2024, Father Paolo Maria Gionta was elected Abbot of the Abbey of Noci (Italy). Father Paolo Maria was previously Procurator General of the Subiaco-Cassinese congregation (Subiaco-Monte Cassino). https://www.abbazialascala.it/

On 12 July 2024, the Congregation of Saint Ottilien received sad news from Abbot Christian Temu regarding the death by automobile accident of three members of The Abbey of Our Lady Help of Christians in Ndanda, Tanzania. Fr. Cornelius (Clement) Mdoe OSB, Fr. Pius (Peter) Boa OSB and Brother Bakanja (Epimack) Mkenda OSB had suddenly passed on through a fatal road accident. The accident took place in Mtua, about 60km away from Ndanda, while on the way to Dar es Salaam. The brothers had come to Ndanda to celebrate with the community the Solemnity of Saint Benedict, in which eleven brothers had made their profession (five solemn, six temporary vows). This day will go down in the history of our community as the saddest moment – so far. Ndanda, as it is called, is a significant Benedictine monastery founded in 1906 by German missionaries from the Congregation of Missionary Benedictines of Saint Ottilien. The abbey has played a pivotal role in the religious, educational, and social development of the region, establishing schools, hospitals, and various community services. It serves as a spiritual center, promoting the Benedictine ethos of prayer, work, and hospitality. Over the years, it has grown into a vibrant community that integrates local culture with monastic traditions, contributing to the spiritual and social welfare of the Tanzanian people. osb.org

On May 31, 2024, Brother Janvier Ogoubiyi and Brother Marie-Romuald Oussoi made solemn profession at the monastery of Kokoubou (Benin). Brother Janvier was born in 1980 in Sô-Ava (Benin). He entered Kokoubou in 2017 and made first profession in 2019. Brother Marie-Romuald was born in 1990 in Tchoumi-Tchoumi (Benin). He entered Kokoubou in 2018 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org

On July 20, 2024, Sister Emilia Ugwu Sister Cordismaria Ozumba made solemn profession at the monastery of Abakaliki (Nigeria). Sister Emilia was born in 1983 in Ohom Orba (Nigeria). She entered Abakaliki in 2015 and made first profession in 2019. Sister Cordismaria was born in 1977 in Odida Abatete (Nigeria). She entered Abakaliki in 2017 and made first profession in 2019. ocso.org

On 11 July 2024, the feast of Saint Benedict, the Chau Thuy community celebrated several important events: two monks received the habit, two took simple vows, four took solemn vows and one celebrated his silver jubilee. Let's join them in giving thanks to God and praying for their monastery. Ocist.org

The Central Commission, meeting at San Francisco de Mostazal, Chile, in June, and acting as Plenary Council of the Abbot General (ST 80.I), considered the request of M. Dominique Graulich, abbess of Soleilmont, the founding house, that the foundation of Ananda Matha Ashram, Kunnambetta (diocese of Calicut, India) be raised to the rank of simple priory. Having heard (a) a report on the history and current situation of the community of Kunnambetta; (b) the favourable opinion of Dom Damien Debaisieux, abbot of Scourmont, Father Immediate of Soleilmont; and (c) the favourable opinion of the ORIENS region, presented by Dom Raphael Shioya Hisashi, titular prior of Oita and co-president of the region, on June 10th 2024, the Abbot General and his Plenary Council, in the name of the General Chapter, voted that Kunnambetta be raised to the rank of simple priory. ocso.org

The community of Sept Fons has for some time had a project of foundation at Bàdi, diocese of Tambacounda, Senegal. Its roots go back to 1999, but the project developed more in recent years. Permission for the foundation of Bàdi was given by the Pontifical Assistant when Sept Fons was outside the structures of the Order, but the situation needed to be regularised within the Order according to the Statute on Foundations. Therefore, the Central Commission, meeting at San Francisco de Mostazal, Chile, in June, and acting as Plenary Council of the Abbot General (ST 80.I), considered the request of Dom Guillaume Jedrzejczak, superior ad nutum  of Sept Fons, that N. D. de Bàdi be recognised as a foundation. All the necessary documents and information were supplied. Having received clarifications about various points, on June 10th 2024, the Abbot General and his Plenary Council voted the approval of Notre Dame de Bàdi as a foundation of Sept Fons (ST 84.1.B.a). This will become effective only when there are six solemnly professed monks as founders, foreseen for October 2024. Web site of Bàdi Monastery: www.notredamedebadi.sn ocso.org

The community of Oelenberg (Alsace, France) has been aware for some time of its situation of fragility. The monastic commissary, Dom Samuel Lauras of Nový Dvůr, with the help of the Commission for the future, has worked diligently with the brothers to consider all their options, and the Abbot General and his Council have followed the situation closely. After serious consideration it was judged that it is not possible for the community to recover from this situation, and that it must be closed. The Central Commission, meeting at San Francisco de Mostazal, Chile, in June, and acting as Plenary Council of the Abbot General (ST 80.I), heard a report on the situation. The brothers of Oelenberg had already spent three months in different communities of the Order between February and May, with a view to possibly continuing their monastic life in those communities. Following the process described in the Statute on the Accompaniment of Fragile Communities and the Suppression of a Monastery, on 13 June 2024, the Abbot General and his Plenary Council, in the name of the General Chapter, voted to suppress the community of Oelenberg. On the same date the Abbot General and his Plenary Council named a Commission for Closure to implement the suppression process, under the presidency of Dom Samuel Lauras, abbot of Nový Dvůr. Please pray for the brothers of Oelenberg at this sad time. ocso.org

Dear Brothers and Sisters, dear friends, This newsletter of AIM announces the re-launch of our website, which we have been without for some time. It presents some projects and asks for your generosity if you have not yet had the opportunity to contribute to our work this year. Newsletter n° 1, 2024 : https://www.aimintl.org/en/newsletters/newsletter-n%C2%B0-1---2024 All of Newsletters : https://www.aimintl.org/en/newsletters

On June 29, 2024, Solemnity of the Saints Apostles Peter and Paul, Sister Elsie Leung made solemn profession at the monastery of Whitland (Wales). Sister Elsie was born in 1973 in Hong Kong (Hong Kong). She entered Whitland in 2015 and made first profession in 2018. ocso.org

On June 29, 2024, Solemnity of the Saints Apostles Peter and Paul, Brother Mario María Mora Morel Brother Agustín Rivera made solemn profession at the monastery of Jarabacoa (Dominican Rep.). Brother Mario María was born in 1992 in La Vega (Dominican Rep.). He entered Jarabacoa in 2017 and made first profession in 2021. Brother Agustín was born in 1985 in Santiago de Los Caballeros (Dominican Rep.). He entered Jarabacoa in 2017 and made first profession in 2021. OCSO website: ocso.org