Search results

On June 28, 2025, Feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Mariana de Jesús Quiñónez Luisamano made solemn profession at the monastery of Esmeraldas (Ecuador). Sister Mariana was born in 1957 in Esmeraldas (Ecuador). She entered Esmeraldas in 2016 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org

On June 28, 2025, Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Brother Nikolaus Arno made solemn profession at the monastery of Lamanabi (Indonesia). Brother Niko was born in 1987 in Ende (Indonesia). He entered Lamanabi in 2018 and made first profession in 2021. ocso.org

On June 27, 2025, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Sister Giusy Picone made solemn profession at the monastery of Valserena (Italy). Sister Giusy was born in 1973 in Sciacca (Italy). She entered Valserena in 2017 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org

From 1 to 8 June, the abbesses of five communities: Maredret (Belgium), Sovu (Rwanda), Zhytomyr (Ukraine) and Saint Lucia (online), as well as a representative of the abbey in Ahuatepec (Mexico), met at the oldest female abbey of the Congregation in Maredret. Together with delegates chosen by the communities, they participated in the first Synod of Nuns in the Congregation's history, chaired by the Abbot President and his two assistants: Fr. Brendan Coffey (Glenstal) and Fr. Bernard Lorent (Maredsous). The main topic of discussion was the development of “General Norms for the Nuns of the Congregation of the Annunciation”. An opportunity to discuss formation, solidarity and monastic enclosure was also given to the participants. The meeting resulted in many ideas and practical conclusions. Now, we hope to put them all into practice, step by step. https://www.annuntiatio.org/aktualnosci/news/107884/the-first-synod-of-nuns-of-the-annunciation-congregation

The Benedictine monks of Mariastein Abbey have elected Father Ludwig Rudolf Ziegerer OSB as their new abbot. The election, held on 18 June 2025 under the leadership of Abbot Vigeli Monn OSB of Disentis, was conducted according to the statutes of the Swiss Benedictine Congregation. Fr. Ludwig will serve a six-year term, beginning immediately. Born in 1956 in Maienfeld, Fr. Ludwig trained as a teacher in Chur and worked in education for several years before entering Mariastein Abbey in 1985. He completed theological studies in Chur and Jerusalem, was ordained a priest in 1992, and has since held several leadership roles in the community, including prior, novice master and director of pilgrimage. Beyond the abbey, he has been active in teaching and pastoral care and completed studies in logotherapy inspired by Viktor E. Frankl. He succeeds Abbot Peter von Sury OSB, who retired in January 2025 at the age of seventy-five. Fr. Ludwig has been leading the community in the interim as prior. Following the canonical election and profession of faith, the next step will be the abbatial blessing. Bishop Felix Gmür of Basel is scheduled to confer this on 20 September 2025 in the abbey’s basilica. Mariastein Abbey, located in the canton of Solothurn near the French border, is a Benedictine monastery founded in the seventeenth century following the expansion of an earlier pilgrimage site. Its origins are tied to the legend of a child miraculously saved after falling from a cliff, inspiring the building of a chapel and later a monastery. After Einsiedeln, it remains the second most significant pilgrimage destination in Switzerland. Today, the Mariastein community numbers twelve monks. osb.org https://www.kloster-mariastein.ch/ © Kloster Mariastein, Simon Mugier

Mother Alberica Ueno Chiaki, abbess of Imari (Diocese of Fukuoka, Japan) since 2023, reached the age of retirement mentioned in ST 40.A of the Constitutions presented her resignation to the Abbot General. The Abbot General with the consent of his Council accepted the resignation, which became effective on June 2nd 2025. On 18 June 2025, the community elected Sister Agnes Yoshioka Misao as Abbess for a six-year term. Mother Agnes was born in 1962 in Japan. She entered Imari in 2012 and made her solemn profession in 2018. At the time of her election, she was a confectionery manager and infirmarian of the community. ocso.org https://www.imari-trappistines.org/

Dom Raphaël García Pelayo, secretary to the Abbot General, was appointed Superior ad nutum of Acey and he is replaced by Brother Cassant Eddy Rianto of the Monastery of Rawaseneng. Brother Cassant was born in 1970 in Yogyakarta (Indonesia). He entered Rawaseneng in 2011 and made his solemn profession in 2017. We are grateful to Dom Raphaël for all his diligent work and assure him of our fraternal prayers, and extend our best wishes to Brother Cassant for his new service to the Generalate. ocso.org

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