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On August 17, 2025, Mother Maria Francesca Righi completed her term of six years as Abbess of Valserena (Diocese of Volterra, Italy). On the same day, Mother Maria Francesca was re-elected Abbess of the Community for a new six-year term. ocso.org https://www.valserena.it/

On August 18, 2025, Brother Alberic Henry made solemn profession at the monastery of Gethsemani (USA). Brother Alberic was born in 1975 in Cleveland, Ohio (USA). He entered Gethsemani in 2020 and made first profession in 2022. ocso.org https://monks.org/

On July 26, 2025, Brother Fabrice Ahandessi and Brother Gontran-Marie Koudenou made solemn profession at the monastery of Kokoubou (Benin). Brother Ahandessi was born in 1985 in Cotonou (Benin). He entered Kokoubou in 2017 and made first profession in 2020. Brother Koudenou was born in 1993 in Azohouè-Aliho (Benin). He entered Kokoubou in 2018 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org

On August 09, 2025, Feast of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Sister Anne-Elisabeth Janicot made solemn profession at the monastery of Notre-Dame de La Coudre (France). Sister Anne-Elisabeth was born in 1970 in Tulle (France). She entered La Coudre in 2017 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org

On August 6, 2025, Feast of the Transfiguration, Brother Juan Martín Godoy Villasante made solemn profession at the monastery of Paraíso (Ecuador). Brother Juan Martín was born in 1986 in Lima (Peru). He entered Paraíso in 2019 and made first profession in 2022. ocso.org

During the fire in April 2025, thanks to the determined efforts of the firefighters, the fire was stopped 2 meters from the abbey buildings. 1,500 olive trees were burned to the ground (33% of the total) – it takes seven years for an olive tree to produce olives. Five hectares of vineyards were burned (33% of the total) – it takes three years for a vine to produce grapes. The monks launched an appeal for help to replant the vines, mobilizing a handful of volunteers who came to dig and plant under the blazing sun. For Father Christian-Marie, who has lived for nearly 28 years in the monastery located about 25 km west of Jerusalem, planting new vines is “a symbol of hope.” “Because if we thought that tomorrow the land would be bombed and reduced to nothing, we would not undertake anything.” https://www.abbayelatroun.com/ To hepl the community: https://www.abbayelatroun.com/nous-aider

On 06 August 2025, the community of Guimaras (Diocese of Jaro, Philippines) elected Dom Kevin John Lipasan as abbot for a six-year term. Dom Kevin was born in 1985 in Negros Occidental (Philippines). He entered Guimaras in 2006, made his solemn profession in 2012, and ordained a priest in 2020. At the time of his election, he was the Superior ad nutum of the community. ocso.org

https://ocso.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/newsletter-GC-03-EN.pdf

On 11 July 2025, Sister Marena Hoogland made her profession at the Monastery of the Annunciation (Bismarck, USA). Sister Marena entered the monastery in 2017. She teaches mathematics at Mary's Academy in Bismarck. More than 50 of her former students and colleagues attended the celebration. The monastery in Bismarck is part of the Monastic Congregation of Saint Benedict ( https://fedstben.org/ ). https://www.annunciationmonastery.org/

The following email addresses for contacting AIM are no longer active: aim.vanveswanadoo.fr aimfrmailo.com Please contact AIM using the online form on our website.

From June 29 - July 5, a workshop for candidates, novices, and those temporarily and solemnly professed from German-speaking Cistercian monasteries took place at Lichtenthal Abbey in Baden-Baden (Germany). The abbeys and monasteries of Heiligenkreuz, Lichtenthal, Magdenau, Mariastern-Gwiggen, Oberschönenfeld, Seligenthal, Stiepel, and Thyrnau were represented. The main topic was "Nothing should be preferred to worship” (RB 43.3), the beauty of praise, and the work of God in the liturgy, all cornerstones of our Cistercian vocation. Mother Abbess Christiane Hansen from Seligenthal Abbey and Prof. P. Dr. Bernhard Vošicky from Heiligenkreuz Abbey gave presentations. In addition to shared prayer times and work sessions, the program included a meeting with the Lichtenthal Convent and a visit to the nearby Russian Orthodox Church of the Transfiguration of Christ. ocist.org

M. Kathy de Vico, abbess of O.L. of Redwoods (diocese of Santa Rosa, USA) since 2000, presented her resignation to the Abbot General in accordance with ST 40.A.bis. The Abbot General, with the consent of his Council, accepted the resignation which became effective on 28 July 2025. On the same day, Dom Scott Dilworth, abbot of O.L. Guadalupe and Father Immediate of Redwoods, appointed Sister Claire Bouttin as superior ad nutum of the community. Mother Claire was born in Müllheim (Germany) in 1951, entered Chambarand in 1973 and made solemn profession in 1980. In 2004 she changed her stability to Redwoods. At the time of her appointment, she was novice director of the community. ocso.org https://www.redwoodsabbey.org/