The community of Saint Lambrecht Abbey in Austria has elected Alfred Eichmann OSB as its new abbot. His 12-year term will begin on 10 July 2025, following the retirement of Abbot Benedikt Plank, who will reach the age of 76 this summer. The election was held under the presidency of Johannes Perkmann OSB, Abbot President of the Austrian Benedictine Congregation.   Born in 1975 and raised in Mariahof, Abbot Alfred entered the monastery in 1995. He made his final profession in 1999 and was ordained to the priesthood in 2002. His theological studies took him to Salzburg and Rome, followed by pastoral assignments in Leoben, Bruck an der Mur, and Mariazell. Since 2011, he has served as parish priest in Neumarkt and neighbouring parishes, and since 2021, he has overseen pastoral care for the Saint Lambrecht region. Within the monastery, he has also been responsible for the formation of young monks.   The monks expressed gratitude for the support of their many friends and asked for prayers for Abbot Alfred and their community as they begin this new chapter in their shared monastic life.   osb.org https://www.stift-stlambrecht.at/   Photos courtesy of St. Lambrecht Abbey.

Find all the news and articles from June on the Benedictine Confederation website: https://osb.org/casa/nexus-bulletin/   Dear Confreres, dear Sisters,   “Papists!” One of my professors in Oxford used to refer to Catholics by that term. He was a professor of diplomatics — the science of ancient charters, or “diplomas” — not of diplomacy, in case you were wondering.   The six weeks since our last NEXUS have turned many people into “papists” again. Pope Francis and then Pope Leo made headlines, and people everywhere followed the events with eager attention — we here in Rome just as much as those around the world. There were many moving moments, great pictures, and now we already have a new pope who seems to be governing the Church with a steady hand. I am not terribly sentimental, I think, but I was quite moved by it all — and not a little proud to be a Catholic. By comparison: Germany and Austria recently had to form new governments. Germany took 72 days, Austria five months. The Catholic Church got everything sorted within 17 days. Not bad for an institution many consider sclerotic.   The first word of Pope Leo XIV from the Loggia of St Peter’s on May 8 was Peace: he greeted the world with a liturgical yet deeply meaningful “La pace sia con voi.” I was reminded of the reflection on peace we had during last year’s Abbots’ Congress. During that Congress, our fellow abbots shared with us the suffering in Ukraine, the Holy Land, and Burkina Faso. Very recently, the Abbot of Koubri wrote an account of the forgotten civil strife in Burkina Faso — you’ll find it in this issue of NEXUS. In Kenya, Benedictine Sisters and other religious had to abandon their missions in the Kerio Valley, a region rife with violence in a country that, not without reason, calls itself “The Pride of Africa.”   When the news of the papal election broke, Abbot Brendan Thomas of Belmont (English Benedictine Congregation) happened to be in Peru, visiting their daughter-house in Lurin. He writes: There was great excitement in the monastery when Pope Leo emerged on the balcony. It was wonderful to see a Pope with a Peruvian heart (and a Peruvian passport!): a man from Chicago to Chiclayo. His words from the balcony in Spanish touched them greatly. Although the monastery is just south of Lima, three monks of the community are from Chiclayo, Pope Leo’s former diocese in the north of Peru, including the Prior Dom Alex Echandia.Dom Miguel Rimarachin was studying at the Seminary in Chiclayo when he first met Bishop Robert. He observed: “He treated everyone with warmth and interest and took time to speak to each of us, to enquire about our progress. He was very down to earth but spoke with passion about evangelising and the church. His love for the church, especially here in Peru was palpable.”A special memory was Bishop Robert’s visit for priestly ordinations. It happened to coincide with Dom Miguel’s birthday. “The Rector of the seminary told Bishop Robert about it being my birthday. He spontaneously hugged me and encouraged me to be faithful to my vocation. When you met Bishop Robert, you always felt very motivated and conscious of the gift of vocation.”   Here at Sant’Anselmo, Pope Leo’s choice of name resonated especially strongly. He has already said that he chose his name in homage to Pope Leo XIII, who was, I believe, one of the greatest popes of the last two centuries. He is, of course, also the founder of the Benedictine Confederation. His vision, energy — and, to be clear, funding — made possible the establishment of Sant’Anselmo, something we are reminded of every day when we enter the sacristy here, dominated by a rather conspicuous monument to Leo XIII. In my dreams, I wonder whether Pope Leo XIV might be moved to do for Benedictine women what his namesake did for us men — helping them secure a firm foothold in Rome for students and professors, and establishing a headquarters for the CIB.   Abbot Primate Jeremias’ first meeting with Pope Leo a baciamano   during his visit to the tomb of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. Benedictine monks have looked after the apostle's burial place since at least 936. (C) Vatican Media This NEXUS is going out the Saturday before Pentecost — we hope. That also happens to be my feast day, and if you’ll allow me this small indulgence, I’d like to tell you about my patron saint, St Jeremias. As a young monk, I was very inspired by the prophet Jeremias. “Do not say, ‘I am only a boy,’ for you shall go to all to whom I send you” (Jer 1:7) really spoke to 19-year-old me when I joined the monastery. But I wanted a Christian saint, and so I finally chose St Jeremias of Córdoba. He had been a merchant in Muslim-dominated Andalusia, and later established two monasteries at Tábanos — one for himself and his sons, and one for his wife and daughters. Eventually, however, he came to believe that martyrdom was an even surer path to salvation than monastic life, and went down into Córdoba to preach against the prophet Mohammed. The consequences were as expected: he was whipped to death in the year of our Lord 851. There are not many images of him, unfortunately. Years ago, I discovered a carved panel depicting him and his fellow martyrs in the choir of the cathedral of Córdoba, but the picture I took has long since disappeared into the depths of my computer.   In the coming weeks, academic life at Sant’Anselmo will wind down for the summer recess. Many of our residents will return to their monasteries, and others from distant countries will visit communities across Europe. Thanks to all who will host our brethren during these months!   I myself will be visiting a number of monasteries in late June and early July, mostly in France. It is a monastic world I am not yet very familiar with, and I look forward to exploring it with my secretary, Fr Patrick Carter.   I wish all of you a joyful Pentecost Sunday and weeks and months filled with the Spirit of hope.   Very fraternally,   Jeremias Schröder OSB Abbot Primate

On June 8, 2025,  Dom Alexis Vergon, superior ad nutum of Aiguebelle and Father Immediate of the community of Acey (diocese of Saint-Claude, French), has appointed Father Raphaël Garcia Pelayo , monk of Citeaux, as superior ad nutum of Acey.   Dom Raphaël was born in 1964. He entered Citeaux in 2004, made his solemn profession in 2010 and was ordained a priest in 2013 . He was until recently secretary of the Abbot General.   By this appointment, the service of Dom Marie-Bruno Chabod, superior ad nutum of Acey since 2023, comes to an end due to health reasons. ocso.org

This article was a response to a request from Abbot Primate Jeremias, who wrote, “I wanted to do a brief tour of the war-torn areas where Benedictines are present. At my request, I received a a long and well-written article from Father Jean-Christophe Yameogo, the Abbot of Koubri in Burkina Faso, West Africa”. Read more: https://osb.org/2025/06/06/bearing-witness-to-hope-amid-crisis-the-church-in-burkina-faso-responds-to-insecurity-and-displacement/ osb.org

Authorities from Italy’s cultural heritage protection unit have asked the Benedictine Confederation for assistance in identifying a reliquary believed to contain the remains of Saint Boniface. The object, currently in the possession of the Carabinieri in Bari, may have been taken unlawfully from a Benedictine church or monastery. Photos of the ornate reliquary were submitted to Sant’Anselmo in Rome by Matteo Scozzi, a police officer assigned to the investigation. It is not yet clear when or from where the object was removed. Those with information that might help establish the reliquary’s provenance are encouraged to contact Officer Scozzi directly at: tpcbanu@carabinieri.it Five images of the object have been made available on this post ( https://osb.org/2025/06/06/reliquary-of-saint-boniface-under-investigation/ ) for reference. osb.org

Solemn profession of Sr. Gina Marucci at the monastery of SS. Trinità (Italy) On the Solemnity of the Annunciation (25 March 2025), we celebrated the solemn profession of our sister Gina Marucci. It was a great celebration for us and for all those who joined our community that filled us with joy. The celebration was presided over by our Bishop Andrea Migliavacca, together with celebrated Dom Stefano Zanolini, President of the Congregation of St. Bernard in Italy, and other priests who are friends of the community. We thank God for this definitive step of our sister and for the grace of being able to continue our journey together in gratitude for what the Lord has accomplished and continues to accomplish. https://www.cistercensicortona.it/ ocist.org

Dom Peter McCarthy, abbot of O.L. of Guadalupe (diocese of Portland in Oregon, USA) since 1994, presented his resignation to the Abbot General for the reasons mentioned in ST 40.A of the Constitutions. The Abbot General, with the consent of his Council, accepted the resignation which became effective on March 9th 2025. On March 27th 2025, the community of Guadalupe postulated as Abbot for an indefinite term, Father Scott Dilworth . A dispensation from Cst 39.3 (number of years of solemn profession) was granted by the Holy See and the election was confirmed. The installation of the new abbot took place on March 28th. Dom Scott was born in 1973 in Livonia, Michigan (USA). He entered Guadalupe in 2013, made his solemn profession in 2021 and was ordained a priest in 2023. At the time of his election, he was prior of the community. ocso.org

On 28 March, during the celebration of the 9th Ordinary Chapter of the Congregation of Castile, Mother Eugenia Pablo was elected Abbess President, after Mother Kandida Saratxaga had completed her period of ministry. We offer her our most sincere gratitude for her faithful and fraternal service to all the communities of the Congregation and to the Order. We pray for the new service of Mother Eugenia and the whole Congregation. ocist.org

Following the resignation of Mother Marianne Zürcher (elected Abbess on 13 June 2011), on Tuesday 25 March 2025, in the presence of Dom Marc de Pothuau, Abbot of Hauterive and President of the election, the Sisters' Chapter elected Mother Marie-Agnès BERGER as the new Abbess of the Abbey of Notre-Dame de la Maigrauge. Having accepted her election, she was confirmed and immediately installed, in accordance with the prescriptions of the law and the Constitutions of the Congregation of Mehrerau. ocist.org

On March 25, 2025, Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord, Sister Francesca Mráčková made solemn profession at the monastery of Naši Paní (Czech Rep.). Sister Francesca was born in 1984 in Prague (Czech Rep.). She entered Naši Paní in 2015 and made first profession in 2019. ocso.org https://www.trapistky.cz/

Mother Pilar Germán, Pontifical Commissary of the community of Alloz (diocese of Pamplona, Spain) since 2014, offered her resignation as Pontifical Commissary to the Holy See in September 2024, in view of an affiliation of the community of Alloz to the community of La Palma (diocese of Cartagena, Spain). On March 11th 2025 the Holy See accepted her resignation, and approved the affiliation of Alloz to La Palma according to the legislation accepted ad experimentum by the General Chapter of September 2022. By this affiliation, Mother Carmen Jesús Serrano Ruiz , abbess of La Palma, becomes the major superior of the community of Alloz. ocso.org https://www.monasteriodealloz.org/

On 11 February 2025, Mother Marie-Pascale Dran, Abbess of Brialmont (diocese of Liège, Belgium), presented her resignation to the Abbot General in accordance with vote 29 of the General Chapter, September 2022. On 4 March 2025, the Abbot General, with the consent of his Council, accepted it and it became effective 18 March 2025. On 18 March 2025, at the request of Dom Xavier Frisque, Superior ad nutum of Orval and Father Immediate of Brialmont, the Abbot General and his Council, in the name of the General Chapter, suspended the exercise of autonomy of the community of Brialmont and appointed Mother Marie-Pascale Dran as Monastic Commissary of the community (Cst. 34bis.1). The appointment became effective immediately. ocso.org