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During the Eucharist on Sunday, 10 August 2025, Sister Jeanne-Emilie, Sister Anne-Foucauld and Sister Claire-Bénédicte will take their perpetual vows in the Congregation of the Servants of the Poor at the Mother House in Angers (France). The Congregation of the Servants of the Poor, Regular Oblates of the Order of Saint Benedict, is a religious institute dedicated to apostolic life. Under the patronage of Saint Frances of Rome, these Benedictine nuns are at the service of the poor, mainly in the care of the sick at home. Other works to which the sisters may devote themselves, according to the calls of the Church, must always be in line with this mission. Founded in 1872 by Dom Leduc, a monk from the Abbey of Solesmes, the Servants of the Poor are now present in France, Belgium, Senegal and Congo. https://servantesdespauvres-osb.org/

On June 17, 2025, Dom Bento Gonçalves de Oliveira , OCist, Abbot of Nossa Senhora da Santa Cruz, in Itaporanga, was elected Abbot President of the Brazilian Congregation of Cistercians, during the celebration of the 17th Chapter of the aforementioned Congregation. Consequently, the Abbot General of the Cistercian Order, Dom Mauro-Giuseppe Lepori, concluded his task as Pro-President ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the Brazilian Congregation of Cistercians, which he held for 14 years. Let us pray for the task entrusted to Dom Bento and for this new stage now beginning for the Brazilian Congregation of Cistercians. ocist.org

On 7 July 2025, the Pontifical Athenaeum Sant’Anselmo, following confirmation from the Dicastery for Culture and Education, announced with joy the appointment of its new rector, Professor Dr Jákó Örs Fehérváry OSB. The appointment was made by the grand chancellor, Abbot Primate Jeremias Schröder OSB. Father Fehérváry, a monk of the Hungarian Archabbey of Pannonhalma, has until now served as director of the Sapientia Institute of Theology of Religious Orders in Budapest, affiliated with the Faculty of Theology at Sant’Anselmo. He earned a Licentiate in Liturgy from the Institut Catholique de Paris in 2000, and completed his Doctorate in Liturgy at Sant’Anselmo in 2008. The new rector will begin his term of office on 9 September 2025. The entire academic community extends its best wishes for a fruitful ministry in service of Sant’Anselmo, the Benedictine Confederation and the universal Church. osb.org

On 30 May 2025, the Austrian Benedictine Congregation commenced its 400th anniversary celebrations with a pilgrimage to Mariazell Basilica. The event was attended by monks and nuns from the congregation's 14 monasteries, including 12 abbeys and 2 priories, comprising approximately 250 members. Abbot Primate Jeremias Schröder, the global head of the Benedictine Confederation, presided over the festive Mass at the Mariazell Basilica. In his homily, he reflected on the theme of "pilgrims of hope," aligning with the Holy Year 2025's motto. He highlighted that Benedictine life embodies a hopeful response to the trials of modern times, urging the monastic communities to remain open to renewal and to continue their solidarity with monasteries in less affluent regions. Abbot President Johannes Perkmann expressed gratitude for centuries of collaboration and emphasised the congregation's ongoing commitment to spiritual life, education, and sustainable initiatives. He described Benedictine life as a meaningful way to live out the Gospel and find fulfilment in today's world. The Austrian Benedictine Congregation was officially established on 3 August 1625 by Pope Urban VIII. Today, it encompasses monasteries such as the Abbey of Saint Peter in Salzburg, Kremsmünster, Melk, Göttweig, and the Schotten Abbey in Vienna. The congregation also oversees the Collegium Saint Benedict in Salzburg, a study house for Benedictines and other religious. osb.org

We are delighted to announce the election of Most Reverend Father Shamindra Jayawardena as the new Abbot General of the Sylvestrine Benedictine Congregation. This significant election took place on 28 May 2025, during a General Chapter that commenced on 15 May 2025. This election marks several historic firsts for the Congregation: Father Shamindra becomes the 119th successor of Saint Sylvester Guzzolini, the founder of the monastic order. He is the first Sri Lankan to be elected as Abbot General. He is the second person from Asia to lead the Congregation. The General Chapter where he was elected is notably the first to be held outside of Italy in the Congregation's history. Born on 13 January 1972, Fr. Shamindra made his first vows on 15 August 1992 and his final vows on 15 August 1998. He was ordained a priest on 21 December 2000. Prior to this election, he served as the Prior Abbot of the Sri Lanka regional province, being elected in 2013 and re-elected for a second term in 2019. He was elected as the prior abbot of Sri Lanka on 21 November 2013. The Sylvestrine Benedictine Congregation, founded by Saint Sylvester Guzzolini in Montefano, Italy, in 1231, follows the Rule of Saint Benedict, emphasising prayer, work and community. The Congregation established its mission in Sri Lanka on 14 August 1845, a small missionary centre that eventually grew to produce its first Sri Lankan Abbot General. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Most Reverend Father Shamindra Jayawardena on his election and pray for God's blessings on his new mission. osb.org http://www.silvestrini.org/

Dom Dom Gilbert Degros, abbot of Rochefort (Diocese of Namur, Belgium) since 2006, 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 April 27th 2025. On 31 May 2025, the community of Rochefort elected Father Petr Skarohlid as Abbot for an indefinite term. Dom Petr was born in 1981 in Czech Republic. He entered Sept-Fons (France) in 2003, made his solemn profession in 2010 and was ordained a priest in 2014. He arrived in Rochefort in 2016 and, at the time of his election, he was Novice Master and Prior of the Rochefort community. ocso.org https://www.abbaye-rochefort.be/fr/

On May 15, the Chau Son Nho Quan community of the Congregation of the Holy Family in Vietnam elected Fr. Dominic Tran Tien Thieu as their new Abbot. We entrust the new Abbot Dominic Tran to the prayers of the Order as we thank God for the service rendered by Abbot Domenic Savio Tran Thiet Hung. ocist.org

On 31 May 2025, Mother Marie Fahy completed her fourth six-year term as Abbess of Glencairn (Diocese of Waterford and Lismore, Ireland). On the same day, the community elected Sister Fiachra Nutty as Abbess for a six-year term. Mother Fiachra was born in 1962 in Dublin (Ireland). She entered Glencairn in 2006 and made her solemn profession in 2012. At the time of her election, she was prioress of the community. ocso.org https://www.glencairnabbey.org/

On May 31, 2025, Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Elizabeth, Sister Cristiana Concepcion made solemn profession at the monastery of Matutum (Philippines). Sister Cristiana was born in 1990 in Sorsogon (Philippines). She entered Matutum in 2016 and made first profession in 2020. ocso.org

Saint Vincent Archabbey commemorated the 100th anniversary of Fu Jen University’s founding with a series of events on 4 April 2025 in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. The day began with a solemn Mass at St Vincent Basilica, presided over by Archabbot Martin Bartel, OSB, followed by an academic conference attended by international guests, university officials and Benedictine scholars. The occasion honoured the legacy of the Benedictines who established Fu Jen in Beijing in 1925 and underscored its continuing influence in East-West educational dialogue. The academic conference featured reflections from Archabbot Martin, Saint Vincent College President Fr Paul Taylor, Monsignor Veceslav Tumir representing the Holy See, Bishop Matthew Zhen of Beijing, Fu Jen President Francis Lan and Professor Sophia Geng of the Loe China Studies Center. Archabbot Martin traced ongoing Benedictine engagement with China to Fu Jen’s foundation, crediting figures like Fr Hugh Wilt with sustaining this legacy. President Taylor celebrated the shared mission between Saint Vincent and Fu Jen, and President Lan highlighted the university’s evolution and its strategic plan for navigating modern educational challenges. A highlight of the event was Monsignor Tumir’s reading of a letter from Pope Francis. The Pope praised the university’s foundation as a model of cultural and academic integration, recalling how Benedictine monks brought a scholarly and spiritual vision to China. He reaffirmed the Church’s commitment to education as a vehicle for dialogue and peace. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, in a separate letter, acknowledged the importance of the anniversary and expressed the Vatican’s solidarity through the Nunciature’s presence. The first presentation dealt with Ying Lianzhi, the Chinese Catholic scholar responsible for getting the Vatican interested in having a Catholic university in China and with whom the Benedictines worked in setting up Fu Jen University. This presentation also introduced the Chinese historian Chen Yuan who became the president of Fu Jen University in 1929 and who closely cooperated with the Benedictines. The other presentations treated of the Benedictines important for the founding of Fu Jen University, which includes a Benedictine Oblate. Archabbot Aurelius Stehle, OSB, was the archabbot of Saint Vincent Archabbey who was ordered by the Vatican to start a Catholic university in Beijing. Fr. Barry O’Toole, a good friend of Archabbot Aurelius and a Benedictine Oblate, was appointed as the first president of Fu Jen University. Fr. Ildephonse Brandstetter, OSB, was the Prior of the Benedictines in Beijing and closely involved with the setting up of the university. Fr. Francis Clougherty, OSB, a diocesan priest who had been working in China, joined the Benedictines in Beijing and was active in the university work. Fr. Gregory Schramm, OSB, a monk of Newark Abbey, was a science teacher at Fu Jen University, and later, it was because of him that the Loe China Center was established at Saint Vincent College. The centennial gathering not only recalled Fu Jen’s historic beginning but also rekindled the monastic commitment to global partnership and education. With roots in both East and West, and with ongoing ties to its Benedictine founders, Fu Jen continues to serve as a testament to the enduring mission of Catholic higher education in a pluralistic world. osb.org

In the context of the extraordinary canonical visitation to the monasteries of the Flemish-Dutch Province, Fr. Abbot President Ignasi M. Fossas accepted the resignation from the office presented by Fr. Henry Vesseur, Abbot of the Abbey of St Willibrord in Doetinchem/Slangenburg and appointed Fr. Coert Biesjot Prior Administrator of the same Abbey for a period of 3 years. These decisions are effective from 23 May 2025. https://www.benedettinisublacensicassinesi.org/ https://willibrordsabdij.nl/

First newsletter of 2025: “Like a Flame my hope is burning”. https://aim-usa.org/