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Bulletin No. 126: “Monastic Life Today”: https://www.aimintl.org/en/report

Dom Gerard D’Souza completed his second term of six-years as Abbot of Our Lady of the Genesee Abbey (diocese of Rochester, USA). On June 5, 2024, Dom Gerard D’Souza was re-elected Abbot of the community for a new six-year term. ocso.org https://www.geneseeabbey.org/

From 2-3 June 2024, the chapter of Peramiho Abbey gathered to elect its sixth abbot. The new abbot is Fr. Emmanuel Mlwilo OSB, 54 years old and a monk of the abbey. Abbot Emmanuel was immediately confirmed and instituted in the rights and duties of his new office. Abbot Emmanuel is originally from the region of Njombe and currently serves as parish priest at Uwemba. He made his first vows in 2001 and was ordained a priest in 2008. Since then, he has held mostly pastoral assignments. The election followed the conclusion of the mandate of Abbot Administrator Pambo Mkorwe of Mvimwa Abbey who has governed the monastery for the last three years. Peramiho Abbey is a Benedictine monastery located in the Ruvuma Region of Tanzania. Founded in 1898 by German missionaries, it was established as a center for evangelization, education, and healthcare in the region. The abbey has played a significant role in the religious, cultural, and social development of the local communities. It includes various institutions such as a hospital, schools, and vocational training centers. The monks at Peramiho Abbey are involved in agricultural activities and local development projects, continuing their mission of service and spiritual guidance. The abbatial blessing will be on 24 August 2024. osb.org osb.org

On 4 June 2024 the monks of Belmont Abbey, UK, elected Dom Brendan Thomas to be their 12th abbot, for a term of eight years. He will be blessed as abbot on Friday, 12 July, by the archbishop of Cardiff, Most Rev. Mark O’Toole. https://osb.org/2024/06/09/dom-brendan-thomas-elected-abbot-of-belmont/ https://www.belmontabbey.org.uk/

Mother Michèle Cointet, Abbess of Bonneval (Diocese of Rodez, France) since 1996, offered her resignation to the Abbot General for reasons of health (St. 40). The Abbot General with the consent of his Council accepted the resignation, which became on March 8th. On 31 May 2024, the community of Bonneval elected Sister Anne-Claire Maillard as Abbess for an indefinite term. Mother Anne-Claire was born in Toulon (France) in 1976. She entered Bonneval in 2002, made her solemn profession in 2008. At the time of her election, she was sub-prioress and manager of the chocolate factory. ocso.org

In a 25 May 2024 decree for the Feast of Saint Gregory the VII, a great Benedictine pope, the Priory of San Benedetto in Monte was elevated to the status of an abbey. This canonical elevation brought honor and dignity to the monastery as it celebrated its 25th year. The monks are deeply grateful to all those who made this milestone possible, particularly the abbot primate of the Benedictine Confederation, Dom Gregory Polan OSB and his council, the archbishop of Spoleto-Norcia, Renato Boccardo, and especially the founding prior, Dom Cassian Folsom OSB. Today, 28 May 2024, the newly-elevated abbey elected Dom Benedict Nivakoff OSB as Norcia’s first abbot since 1792, when another man who bore the name of Saint Benedict, Abbot Benedetto Cipriani, died. The new abbot and the monks sincerely hope that this important spiritual moment will encourage a deeper longing for God among those in Norcia and those around the world who unite their daily prayers with the monastery. https://osb.org/ https://en.nursia.org/

We inform you of a new scam attempt via false emails sent by an alleged P. Lluc Torcal with the address: lluctorcalocist@gmail.com. If someone receives an email from this address, they should not reply or download any attachments.This is obviously a scam. Please be careful. https://www.ocist.org/ocist/index.php/en/notizie-3/702-tentativo-di-truffa-en-2

A Scam email is circulating requesting the International Bank Account Number (IBAN) or mentioning the “Vatican Bank” (IOR) in the name of the Bursar of the Generalate, Brother Javier Hidalgo Benito. Please do not reply and ignore such emails, do not open the attachment, and when you receive such an email, always check if the sender’s address is correct.

Circular Letter of the Abbot General OCSO for Pentecost 2024: https://ocso.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/4.-Circular-Letter_Pentecost-2024-EN.pdf ocso.org

On May 3, 2024, the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Poland, Brother Rafał Nowak took solemn vows at the monastery of Szczyrzyc. Ocist.org

On May 7, 2024, Mother Rebecca Stramoski completed her second term of six years as Abbess of Our Lady of the Mississippi (diocese of Dubuque, USA). On the same day, she was re-elected Abbess of the community for a new six-year term. ocso.org

Management training for today’s monastic leaders Summer course : 30 June - July 2024 Unprecedented developments are changing our monasteries and making leadership much more demanding. Outside pressures, inside challenges and cultural changes are making monastic leaders wonder: • who can help us to understand, distinguish and decide? • what approaches and tools are available to help us deal with these challenges? • how can we initiate in good time needed changes without losing our identity? We can help! “Leadership and the Rule of Saint Benedict” is a joint educational project of the universities of St. Gallen in Switzerland and Sant’Anselmo in Rome. We have assembled a faculty of international experts and experienced leaders from the Benedictine family who will help you to frame the challenges facing your monastery and show pragmatic ways to handle them. The first course took place in 2014. Based on the experience gained, the course could be tailored more and more to the needs of the participants in the following years. In the meantime, about 150 people have completed the course. By the end of the program, you will be equipped to shape your best response to those challenges. https://osb.org/event/leadership-and-the-rule-of-saint-benedict/