Some new projects training: https://www.aimintl.org/en/our-projects/category-formation construction: https://www.aimintl.org/en/our-projects/category-constructions development: https://www.aimintl.org/en/our-projects/category-d%C3%A9veloppement livelihood: https://www.aimintl.org/en/our-projects/category-gagne-pain meetings: https://www.aimintl.org/en/our-projects/category-meetings-et-assembl%C3%A9es supported financially by AIM are featured on the website. You can support AIM’s work with communities by making a donation via the "Support Us" tab at the top right of the pages. AIM is only able to assist communities thanks to donations received from religious communities and benefactors. Thank you for your support.

There are 2 Liturgical Courses coming in July and September this year: 1. Liturgical inculturation: definitions, guiding principles, models and criteria (This is a reminder of the news published on May 4) Online course, one day Speaker: Abbot Olivier-Marie SARR OSB, Abbot of Keur Moussa Abbey in Senegal, Professor at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of Sant’Anselmo in Rome. Time: July 27, 2026, 8:30-12:00 and 14:00-17:30 (Rome time). Format: Online via ZOOM with simultaneous translation in Vietnamese, English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Polish, and Portuguese. Participation in the study day is free of charge. The study day is open to everyone, both inside and outside our order. Registration via email to: liturgia@ocist.org Please provide your NAME, LANGUAGE, and EMAIL ADDRESS. You will receive the participation link in due course. 2. Introduction to Cistercian Chant based on the new Gradual Cisterciense Course Director: Prof. Dr. Franz Karl Praßl Arrival day: September 21, 2026 (7:00 PM introduction) Departure day: September 26, 2026 This course is for anyone wishing to deepen their knowledge of Cistercian chant and the new Graduale Cisterciense. Some prior experience in singing and Gregorian chant is helpful but not required. The course alternates between theoretical and practical elements. Franz Karl Praßl, 1954, Dr. theol., former cathedral organist in Klagenfurt, emeritus professor of Gregorian chant at the University of Music and Performing Arts Graz, emeritus professor at the Pontifical Conservatory of Music PIMS in Rome, co-editor of the Graduale Novum, contributor to the new Gotteslob (hymnal), contributor to the new Graduale Cisterciense, numerous publications. Course fee including materials: €170 Overnight stay including full board: €300 Registration and information: P. Nikodemus, +49-234-77705-14, gastamt@kloster-stiepel.de ocso.org

Mass on 8 May 2026 at Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris (France) to mark the 30th anniversary of the murder of the seven Trappist monks of Thibirine, presided over by Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, Archbishop of Algiers. Mass on 10 May 2026 at Aiguebelle Abbey (France) to mark the 30th anniversary of the murder of the seven Trappist monks of Thibirine, presided over by Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco, Archbishop of Algiers. ocso.org

The InterMonasteries Alliance is expanding In 2025, the AIM updated its ecclesiastical statutes by broadening its partnerships and emphasising the reality of a structure shared by the three major orders that follow the Rule of Saint Benedict. In line with these changes, the AIM is embarking on a significant turning point in its development, adopting new civil statutes, a new name and a new visual identity to promote its identity, highlight its international dimension, and unify and simplify its communications. One name, one language, one message The acronym AIM has had several meanings over the course of its history. The most recent name, “Alliance Inter Monastères”, had become a hindrance to international communication and was no longer conducive to the association’s current development. Instead of having to translate—no easy task given the acronym—presentations and letterheads into every language, we now have a single name, a single logo, a single identity—for all languages and all countries. The Latin name Associatio Internationalis Monastica addresses these challenges with clarity. As the universal language of the Church, Latin is immediately recognised throughout the Catholic world. It highlights the institutional dignity of the AIM in harmony with its role of coordination among the major monastic families. The acronym AIM remains unchanged as a strong and internationally recognisable symbol: a united monastic fraternity, at the service of the Church’s mission in the world. A development rooted in heritage After many years of using a logo that was beginning to show its age, the AIM decided to undertake a complete overhaul of its visual identity. The aim is clear: to modernise the association’s image whilst ensuring consistency across its communication materials in all languages, serving the three orders it brings together. Far from being a break with the past, this change is part of a wider trend towards a return to classic styles seen in many cultural and institutional spheres. AIM responds to this with a visual identity that is at once reassuring, universal and conveys its spiritual message: combining ora and labora at a single glance. A logo steeped in history At the heart of this new identity sits the Medal of Saint Benedict, reinterpreted as an institutional seal that is perfectly suited to an international coordinating organisation and immediately conveys the legitimacy and long-standing history of the AIM. A colour palette that conveys messages The new brand identity is built around three carefully chosen colours: Green, a liturgical colour, symbolising generosity, hope and life; gold, present throughout the iconography, which distinguishes AIM from the world of generalist NGOs; and parchment, evoking naturalness and simplicity, and conveying kindness. The Cinzel typeface, classic and legible, completes the ensemble. A brand identity designed to raise the profile of AIM This development addresses a strategic challenge: to raise awareness of AIM far beyond its usual circles, to engage the general public and partners, and to attract and retain international donors. The new branding will be rolled out gradually across all of the association’s communications channels.

In accordance with the decision of the Chapter of the Pannonhalma Archabbey, the General Chapter of the Hungarian Benedictine Congregation elevated the Monastery of St. Maurice in Bakonybél to the status of a conventual priory on 29 May 2026. With this decision, the Benedictine monastery in Bakonybél has become an independent member of the Hungarian Benedictine Congregation. On 1 June 2026, the Convent of St. Maurice Monastery elected Father Dr. Izsák Zsolt Baán as its first conventual prior, who was installed in office by Abbot President Cirill T. Hortobágyi. With the elevation of the priorate in Bakonybél to the status of an independent monastery, the Hungarian Benedictine Congregation now comprises five independent monasteries: the Pannonhalma Archabbey, the Abbey of St. Geraldo (São Paulo), St. Mauritius Monastery (Bakonybél), St. Ányos Benedictine Priory (Tihany), and St. Mór Benedictine Priory (Győr). osb.org

On 22 May 2026, Father Abbot Bernard Lorent Tayart, President of the AIM, was at Chevetogne Abbey to attend the meeting of the Encyclopédie bénédictine. This is a Foundation that provides grants for historical research on the Order of Saint Benedict, in particular to the Revue bénédictine, the journal Mabillon and also the AIM Bulletin. The Abbot of Chevetogne, the Prior of Maredsous and Abbot Bernard represent the Benedictines, alongside researchers from the universities of Louvain-la-Neuve (UCL), Leuven (KUL), Liège and Ghent. Chevetogne Abbey

A Jubilee for the Entire Benedictine Family In 2029, the family of Orders living according to the Rule of Saint Benedict will celebrate a jubilee of exceptional significance: the 1,500th anniversary of the founding of Monte Cassino, the cradle of Western monastic tradition. This anniversary, commemorated at the initiative of the Benedictine Confederation on the site jubilee.osb.org, invites every community — Benedictine, Cistercian, and Trappist — to renew its fidelity to the Gospel and to monastic hospitality. The Associatio Internationalis Monastica (AIM), which has served the communion between monasteries throughout the world since 1961, is wholeheartedly joining this jubilee momentum. This milestone coincides with a moment of institutional renewal within AIM itself: revision of its statutes, strengthening of its governance structures, and the deployment of new digital tools in the service of its members. The jubilee of 2029 is therefore not merely a commemoration: it is an invitation to work together to build an international monastic alliance that is even more vibrant and united, so that we may bring together a little of Heaven down to earth.

Abbot Bernard Lorent Tayart had the opportunity to visit two former Benedictine sites in Belgium and Luxembourg: The former Abbey of Gembloux (Belgium) Founded in the 10th century by Saint Guibert, Gembloux Abbey quickly gained renown thanks to Sigebert, a learned monk of the 11th century known for his many travels. It was a prestigious abbey where the abbots held the title of count: the Count-Abbots of Gembloux. The abbey was suppressed during the French Revolution in 1796. There are depictions of Saint Benedict, his finger to his lips, thus inviting us to cultivate silence—both external and internal—in order to seek the presence of God and peace. The relic of Saint Guibert is also found there. Abbot Bernard Lorent Tayart conferred the sacrament of Confirmation in the abbey church. Procession in Guirsch (Luxembourg) On 25 May 2026, Abbot Bernard Lorent Tayart presided over the procession in honour of Saint Willibrord, founder of the famous Abbey of Echternach. The Whitsunday procession was established in 1692 to replace the compulsory pilgrimage to Echternach. The procession has taken place every year since 1692. Each year, neighbouring Belgian and Luxembourgish parishes converge on Guirsch. https://unite-pastorale-arlon.com/2026/05/26/guirsch-au-rythme-de-saint-willibrord-une-tradition-vivante-depuis-1692/

Abbot Bernard Lorent Tayart, President of the AIM, paid a visit to the community of Benedictine nuns at Sant'Agata sui Due Golfi (Sorrento), on the occasion of the First Communion of a young girl whose parents are friends and oblates of the monastery. Abbot Bernard has known the community of nuns since his studies in Rome. The community, currently comprising five sisters, is one of the oldest in Italy (founded in the 9th century). The sisters are highly regarded on the Sorrento Peninsula. Their guesthouse is open and run by the guests themselves. The location is very popular with tourists.

The international academic conference, “The Testimony of the Monks of Tibhirine,” will take place in Oxford on Tuesday, 30 June, and Wednesday, 1 July 2026. Hosted by the Dominican community at Blackfriars, the event will feature bilingual presentations and film screenings exploring the spiritual legacy of the martyred Algerian monks. https://www.ocso.org/uploads/general-news/documents/ColloqueTibhirine-30ans-Oxford2026-EN.pdf ocso.org

Bulletin 130, 2026 The OCSO General Chapter – The Jubilee of Benedictine Life If you would like to receive the AIM Bulletin by post, please contact us using the contact form: https://www.aimintl.org/en/contact See the articles: https://www.aimintl.org/en/communication/report/130 Contents Editorial Abbot Bernard Lorent Tayart, OSB, President of AIM On the subject of AIM • The New Statutes of AIM Abbot Bernard Lorent Tayart, OSB • Summary of the Financial Report Father Charbel Pazat de Lys, OSB In Memoriam Father Martin Neyt, OSB, former president of AIM The Editorial Team Lectio divina Homily on the healing of Simon’s mother-in-law (Lk 4:38-44) Dom Bernardus Peeters, OCSO Perspectives • “The Love of sharing and the sharing of Love” Dom Bernardus Peeters, OCSO • The Cistercian Charism in Today’s World Dom Mauro-Giuseppe Lepori, OCist • Intervention on the Cistercian charism at the OCSO General Chapter Mother Elizabeth Mary Mann, OCBE • Intervention on the Cistercian charism at the OCSO General Chapter Mother N. Ghijs, Bernard. Oudenaarde 529-2029: The Jubilee of Benedictine life • The Benedictine Jubilee Abbot Primate Jeremias Schröder, OSB • Becoming Pilgrims in Time Abbot Antonio Luca Fallica, OSB • Introducing the Jubilee Book Mr. Adam Simon, Project Coordinator • “Awake!” Abbot Benedetto Nivakoff, OSB Great figures of monastic life • Dame Hilda Wood, OSB Benedictines of Stanbrook • Father Augustine Baker, OSB Sister Laurentia Johns, OSB News • The Holy Year at Saint Paul Outside the Walls Father Ludovico Torrisi, OSB • 13th Meeting of BEAO According to the account of Brother N. Koss, OS • 13th Meeting of EMLA Sister Cristina Lavinhati, OSB • 1300 Years of the Abbey of Novalesa Father Michael-Davide Semeraro, OSB • The Monastery of Morne Saint-Benoît Father Jacques Montfort, OSB • The Philippines during the tropical storms Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing • The Situation in Kiribati Sister Megan Kahler, OSB

After more than thirty-one years of devoted service in the abbatial office, Dom Isidoro Anguita Fontecha presented his resignation to the Abbot General. With the consent of his Council, the Abbot General accepted the resignation, which took effect on 21 March 2026. On 20 May 2026, the community of Santa María de Huerta (Diocese of Osma-Soria, Spain) elected Fr. Francisco Rivera Jiménez as abbot for a term of six years. Dom Francisco was born in Granada, Spain, in 1979. He entered the Monastery of Huerta in 2007 and made his solemn profession in 2013. At the time of his election, he was serving the community as Prior. ocso.org