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History of monastic congregations The Benedictine Confederation At the present moment all Benedictine monasteries belong to an organisation called the Benedictine Confederation, whose head, the Abbot Primate, resides in Rome. It is a relatively young organisation, founded by Pope Leo XIII in 1893. Originally St Benedict did not foresee any organisational structure between monasteries: each lived in complete autonomy under the vigilant eye of the local bishop. For various reasons, in the course of centuries, monasteries formed groups, often because of geographical proximity or because they were founded from the same monasteries and followed the same rule of life. Thus in the ninth century, under the aegis of the Carolingian Kings and Benedict of Aniane, monasteries achieved a certain union with similar usages. A century later a large number of monasteries grouped together under the aegis of Cluny, a grouping which would later lead to the regular ‘Orders’. In the twelfth century, under the leadership of St Bernard, Cistercian monasteries constituted themselves a real structured Order on hierarchical lines. Seeing the advantages of this, various Benedictines tried to follow their example by making regional associations. However, this movement was far from being general. As a second stage Pope Benedict XII attempted in the fourteenth century to apply the principles of unification and centralisation to the Benedictines, with only partial success. However, a number of abbeys did group themselves together by countries and set up national Congregations. That was how the English, Italian, Hungarian Congregations, etc, came to be formed in the face of all political changes of fortune. Pope Leo XIII in his desire for unity decided to federate the Congregations into a single organisation, and in 1893 decreed the ‘Benedictine Confederation’. Nevertheless, the Congregations, jealous of their privileges and their traditions, retained their own structures and internal organisations. Some of them preferred an abbacy for a limited time while others retained life abbacies. One congregation had a single noviciate for all the monasteries, while others had as many noviciates as monasteries; for some congregations parish ministry was the norm, for others the exception; for one congregation the missionary apostolate was a specific aim, while for others it was categorically excluded. Thus each retained its own rights and specificity. In short, each Benedictine Congregation (and at present there are twenty of them) was organised as an autonomous religious Order, with its own instruments of government (Abbot President, Abbot General or Archabbot), its own General Chapter (with the supreme right of legislation) and its own Constitutions, and so on. The Congregations are of different sizes; some of them consist of a thousand monks, others barely a hundred. The same disparity exists in the number of monasteries: the Hungarian Congregation numbers only one great monastery in Hungary and another recent creation in Brazil. By contrast, the Congregation of Subiaco is spread over several European countries, in Africa, the Philippines and Vietnam, to the extent that it is divided into several provinces. Some Congregations can boast of several centuries of history, such as those of Vallumbrosa or Camaldoli, while others are quite young, such as the Congregation of Cono-Sur (Latin America), created in 1976. If the Congregations differ from one another by their structure and their activity, nevertheless they are all deeply marked by the Benedictine spirit, eager to put into practise what St Benedict envisaged in his Rule. They have sufficient common resemblance to make it possible to come together as one Benedictine family. At the head of the Confederation there is an Abbot Primate, elected for a fixed term by the body of superiors; he resides at the Abbey of Sant’Anselmo in Rome, and represents the Confederation to the Holy See. CONFEDERATED BENEDICTINE CONGREGATIONS • Cassinese Congregation, stemming from the ancient Congregation of Santa Justina founded in 1408. This Congregation was incorporated into the Congregation of Subiaco on 7th February, 2013. The Subiaco Congregation became the Subiaco-Cassinese Congregation • English Congregation, founded in 1336 and restored in 1619 • Hungarian Congregation, founded in 1514 and restored in 1639 • Swiss Congregation, founded in 1602 • Austrian Congregation, established in 1625 • Bavarian Congregation, founded in 1684 • Brazilian Congregation, stemming from the Portuguese Congregation and set up in 1827 • Congregation of Solesmes, established in 1837 • American Cassinese Congregation, set up in 1855 • Subiaco-Cassinese Congregation, set up as the Subiaco Congregation in 1872 and divided into 9 geographical provinces. At the incorporation of the Cassinese Congregation in 2013 it acquired its present name. • Congregation of Beuron, set up in 1873 • Swiss-American Congregation, set up in 1881 • Congregation of St Ottilien, founded in 1884 • Congregation of the Annunciation, founded in 1920 • Slavonic Congregation, set up in 1945 • Congregation of Vallumbrosa, set up in 1036 • Congregation of Camaldoli, set up in 1113 • Silvestrine Congregation, founded in 1231 • Congregation of Cono-Sur, set up in 1976 A few monasteries, belong to no Congregation, are directly under the Abbot Primate. COMMUNITIES 6 There are numerous communities in the world today that follow the rule of saint Benedict. They are present on five continents. Here, presented country by country, the contact details of all these communities. Europe 0 Africa 0 North America 0 South America 0 Asia 0 Oceania 0 See all countries See all communities

Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum (CIB) The Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum (CIB) The Communio Internationalis Benedictarum (CIB) was born in 2001 in Nairobi, Kenya, during a meeting of representatives of female Benedictine communities from around the world. It had been about thirty years since efforts had been made to bring together through a fraternal bond the nuns and sisters affiliated with the Benedictine Confederation. If each of the communities has its own charisma and particularity, the sisters have learned to recognize and appreciate their unity in the rule of Saint Benedict and in the Benedictine tradition, which has spread across the cultures and countries of the world. The CIB allowed the sisters to experience in depth and in a concrete way all the richness of the Benedictine charism, which is expressed in the life of their communities. Brief history of the CIB The Benedictine Confederation Between 1886 and 1893 Pope Leo XIII took steps towards the establishment of the Benedictine Confederation, the structure for the network of male congregations existing at the time, with the Abbot Primate for unity at the head of the community at Sant'Anselmo in Rome. The aim of the Confederation was to create and consolidate international contacts between male Benedictine monasteries in order to promote the common tradition of Western monasticism and to prepare monks through serious study for their service in the Church in the 20th century. There was no parallel foundation for the Benedictines. Gradually monasteries and women's congregations were admitted by association into the Benedictine Confederation, but not with full rights. Their status in the Confederation did not give them the possibility of helping each other through regular meetings and international contacts. First steps to form a network between Benedictines after Vatican II In Paragraph 23 of the Decree Perfectae Caritatis , this conciliar document concerning the renewal of religious life, conferences and councils of major superiors are expressly encouraged as a means of bringing small communities out of isolation and sharing potential. Since 1893 the Congress of Abbots was such a conference of major superiors comprising all Benedictine monasteries. From 1965 it became clear that something had to be done to create a similar possibility for the Benedictines. 1968 The Synod of Abbot Presidents around Abbot Primate Rembert Weakland voted that the Primate would constitute a Commission for the nuns and sisters and that this Commission would be divided into two sections, one for the nuns and one for the sisters, but with the ( the ?) same secretary for both. It was also decided that these two consultative groups would be made up of an equal number of men and women (Circular letter to the Benedictines of October 28, 1968). These two Commissions met separately around the Abbot Primate a number of times over the following years. 1972 The Synod of Presidents decides to invite the Commission of Nuns and several prioresses general of Benedictine sisters as observers to the Congress of Abbots. 1980 The Confederation organized a centenary symposium to celebrate the 1500th anniversary of the birth of Saint Benedict. Fifty-five abbesses and prioresses were invited to represent the women. It was the first time that Benedictine abbesses and prioresses, nuns and sisters from various traditions and from various parts of the world met in Rome, but then only as guests at the Congress of Abbots. 1984 The two Commissions meet together for the first time to discuss the possibility of a common meeting of nuns and sisters. 1987 The Benedictine sisters invite sixteen nuns and forty sisters for an assembly on the implications of the rule of Saint Benedict for the life of Benedictines, to the Casa Santo Spirito , general house of the Benedictine sisters of Tutzing in Rome. This first symposium organized by the sisters had a pioneering role for cooperation between nuns and sisters. 1988 The two Commissions merged around Abbot Primate Victor Dammertz. Members were to be representatives of eighteen regions of the world, international congregations and the AIM. An Executive Committee was to organize the following symposium, common to all. The Executive Committee wrote a first draft of the statutes with the help of Abbot Primate Victor Dammertz. For more details, see the CIB website: http://www.benedictines-cib.org/ List of Regions sending delegates to the CIB Conference 1. Italy, Malta 2. Spain, Portugal 3. France, Israel website 4. Great Britain, Ireland 5. Benelux 6. Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scandinavia (AASS) 7. Poland 8. Croatia 9. USA, Canada (with 3 delegates) 10. ABECCA (Benedictine-Cistercian Association of the Caribbean and the Andes: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bahamas, Cuba, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Bolivia, Venezuela) 11. Brazil 12. Cono-Sur (Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay) 13. Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam 14. Philippines 15. Oceania 16. East Africa 17. Central and West Africa, Madagascar 18. South Africa, Namibia, Angola 19. India, Sri Lanka Member communities of the European Benedictine Congregation of the Resurrection : Germany: Dinklage, Bonn-Steinfeld, Alexanderdorf France: Simiane-Collongue Belgium: Liège and Hurtebise Netherlands: Oosterhout and Egmond-Binnen Sweden: Omberg (Vadstena) Lithuania: Kaunas Spain: Montserrat Member communities of the Monastic Congregation of Saint Hildegard (Spain): Alba de Tormes, Algezares, Alzuza, Aranda de Duero, Barcelona, Burgos, Cuenca, Cuntis, El Tiemblo, Estella, Jaca, León, Madrid Encarnación, Madrid Natividad, Oñati, Oviedo, Palacio de Benaver, Sahagún, San Pedro de las dueñas, Santiago de Compostela, Trasmaño, Valfermoso de las Monjas, Zamora, casa San José Zamora, Zaragoza. COMMUNITIES 6 There are numerous communities in the world today that follow the Rule of Saint Benedict. They are present on five continents. Here, presented country by country, the contact details of all these communities. Europe 0 Africa 0 North America 0 South America 0 Asia 0 Oceania 0 See all countries See all communities

The AIM promotes and encourages cooperation and solidarity among monasteries; contributes to the human, cultural, and spiritual formation of the communities; fosters and supports exchanges between communities; supports funding projects submitted by the communities; and publishes a newsletter and a Bulletin twice a year in six languages. FINANCIALLY SUPPORT AIM THE AMTN ASSOCIATION THE BENEDICTUS FOUNDATION PROMOTE COOPERATION AND SOLIDARITY BETWEEN THE MONASTERIES of the Benedictine family throughout the world Welcome to Alliance InterMonastères We work for the growth and development of monastic life today around the world The Alliance for International Monasticism (AIM) is an Association of monasteries promoting cooperation, solidarity and mutual aid between communities. AIM contributes to the human, cultural and spiritual training of communities, encourages and supports exchanges between communities and supports the financing of projects presented by the communities. MONASTIC LIFE Monastic formation Regional monastic associations Reference texts: The Mirror of Monastic Life the monastic Dream... Read More >>> COMMUNITIES History of the Benedictine Confederation History of the International Communion of Benedictines Contact details of monasteries by continent and country. Read More >>> OUR PROJECTS Each semester, projects are presented here which are sent to AIM in order to support them. These projects concern: Formation at all levels, constructions, aid for new foundations, lucrative activities and development works (health, education, agriculture.) Read More >>> Request for financing Some dates to remember for 2026 concerning the training courses offered by the various Orders under the Rule of Saint Benedict: OSB (see osb.org): • Studium for monastic oblates: 5-24 July 2026 (course in English) • Leadership and the Rule of Saint Benedict: 5-18 July 2026 (course in English) • Monastic aggiornamento: 4-24 July 2026 (course in English). OCSO (see ocso.org): • Course for new superiors: 11-24 November 2026, at the Casa Divin Maestro, Rome. OCist (see ocist.org): • Online training course: 4-8 May 2026. Course theme: ‘I make all things new’ (Rev 21); how can Christ renew everything, and how do we open ourselves to this renewal of our monastic life? • Online course of the Commissio Liturgica Cisterciensis: 27-28 July 2026. Course theme: ‘Liturgical inculturation’. • Monastic Formation Course (CFM): 24 August - 18 September 2026. In addition, for the OCist, the 22nd Ordinary Synod will take place from 23 to 27 September 2026 at the Order's Generalate in Rome. ABOUT RECENT NEWS 1 2 3 4 5 OSB Order of Saint Benedict The news presented here are those of the male and female monasteries belonging to the Benedictine Confederation. Read the news OCSO Cistercian Order of Strict Observance This Order brings together the monasteries of the reform of the Order of Cîteaux by Abbot de Rancé in the 17th century. Read the news OCist. Cistercian Order The monasteries represented here belong to the Cistercian Order. Read the news SPECIAL Special news and events Here you will find news about various communities or specific events. Read the news OTHER NEWS BULLETIN NEWSLETTERS LETTER FROM THE AMTM AIM around the world 1,157 COMMUNITIES WOMEN 1,762 COMMUNITIES AND MISSIONS OSB - OSCO - OCIST - CISTERCIAN FAMILY See more > 605 COMMUNITIES MALE

AIM accounts The largest part of the AiM budget is reserved for donations for monasteries living under the Rule of Saint Benedict in continents other than Europe and North America. Here we say the latest statement of AIM accounts. Please note that secretarial costs are very low.

SUPPORT AIM Your donation helps the Inter-Monastery Alliance to promote and encourage cooperation and solidarity between monasteries. It contributes to the human, cultural and spiritual formation of communities and supports the exchange of ideas and experiences. We thank you for your contribution to support all of our actions. Support our missions Alliance InterMonastères AIM The AIM supports the projects selected by the Executive Committee and in particular those which have a religious character (training, constructions, etc.). You can make a donation to AIM, but you will not be able to receive a tax receipt. If you would like a tax receipt, see opposite with the Benedictus Foundation. THANKS. Learn more Benedictus Foundation It is a Foundation sheltered by the Caritas France Foundation. The Benedictus Foundation, in close connection with the AIM, supports the social works of monasteries . You can make a donation to support them and receive a tax receipt. Learn more Donate to AIM Without tax receipts Head office: AIM, 7 rue d'Issy, 92170 Vanves President: Father Bernard LORENT Donate through AIM By bank check to the order of: Alliance InterMonastères to be sent to the address: Alliance InterMonastères, Secretariat, 7 rue d'Issy - 92170 Vanves Wire Transfer If you wish to make a donation and receive a tax receipt , you must send this donation to Fondation Benedictus, as indicated opposite Make a donation to the Foundation With tax receipts You can help the Benedictus Foundation by making a donation • By credit card Online Fondationcaritasfrance.org/fondations/fondation-benedictus/ By bank check Payable to : Fondation Benedictus To be sent to the address : Fondation Benedictus c/o AMTM 7 rue d'Issy - 92170 Vanves Fiscal advantages The Benedictus Foundation works under the aegis of the Caritas France Foundation, founded by Secours Catholique. The Caritas France Foundation, recognized as being of public utility, allows you to benefit from tax deductions for the IFI and IR, on your donations and generosity. Our Work Alliance InterMonastères is dedicated to promoting and encouraging cooperation and solidarity between monasteries. Our work includes supporting communities-led projects and facilitating exchanges between monastic communities to foster spiritual, cultural, and human formation. Explore our gallery to learn more about our work and the communities we serve.

The AIM promotes and encourages cooperation and solidarity among monasteries; contributes to the human, cultural, and spiritual formation of the communities; fosters and supports exchanges between communities; supports funding projects submitted by the communities; and publishes a newsletter and a Bulletin twice a year in six languages. AIM - Alliance Inter-Monastères PROMOTING COOPERATION AND SOLIDARITY BETWEEN THE MONASTERIES OF THE BENEDICTINE FAMILY WORLDWIDE COMING ONLINE Who are we ? Alliance Inter-Monastères (Alliance for I nternational M onasticism - AIM) was created in 1961 by the Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation in conjunction with the Abbots General of the Cistercian Orders to assist in the founding of monasteries and apostolic congregations of the Benedictine tradition in Africa, Asia, Latin America and, more recently, Eastern Europe together with their development as a contribution to the life of the local population. It has evolved into an international alliance of monasteries throughout the world. Contact Alliance Inter-Monastères 7 rue d'Issy, 92170 Vanves President of the AIM association Father Jean-Pierre Longeat, OSB Secretary of the association Sister Christine Conrath, OSB Secretary : +33 7 55 62 83 60 aim.vanves@wanadoo.fr First Name Last Name E-mail Message Sent Thank you for what you sent ! Donation © 2024 by AIM - Alliance Inter-Monastères. Created by Home

The statutes of the AIM were established in 1966 and revised in 1996, 2002, and 2003, and submitted to the Council and Congress of Abbots for approval in 2004. In 2025, new statutes were drafted, reflecting greater fraternity among the communities of the three monastic orders (OSB, OCist, OCSO). Organisation The statutes of the AIM were established in 1966 and revised in 1996, 2002, 2003 and submitted to the approval of the Council and the Congress of Abbots in 2004. In 2025, new statutes were drawn up, reflecting a better fraternity between the communities of the three monastic orders (OSB, OCist, OCSO). Organisation The Statutes of AIM were established in 1966, revised in 1996, 2002 et 2003 and submitted to the approval of the Council and the Abbots’ Congress in 2004. In 2025, following the Synod on Synodality, Abbot Primate Jeremias Schröder (OSB), Sister Lynn Mc Kenzie, Moderator of the CIB, Abbot General Mauro-Giuseppe Lepori (OCist), Abbot General Bernardus Peeters (OCSO) drafted new statutes reflecting more structured links between the communities of the three monastic Orders. President of the AIM: Father Bernard LORENT TAYART, OSB. The President is appointed by the Moderating Council for a renewable five-year term. He represents the AIM and is responsible for its operation. Secretary General of the AIM: Father Charbel PAZAT DE LYS, OSB. The Secretary General assists the President in his responsibilities. He heads the General Secretariat. The Secretary General coordinates the committees, convenes their meetings and sets their agendas. The Secretary General is appointed by the President after consultation with the Moderating Council. The term of office is five years, renewable. The Moderating Council: The Moderating Council is the highest authority of the Alliance. It provides guidance for the work of the AIM, oversees the governance and activities of the Alliance, receives reports, appoints the President, and consults with the President before he appoints the Secretary General and the heads of the committees. The President of the AIM is usually invited to its meetings. Members : Abbot Primate Jeremias Schroeder, OSB; Sister Lynn McKenzie, OSB, Moderator of the CIB; Abbot General Mauro-Giuseppe Lepori, OCist; Abbot General Bernardus Peeters, OCSO. Guest: Fr. Bernard Lorent Tayart, OSB, President of the AIM. The Assembly of AIM: This is an advisory body that connects the work of AIM with monastic families, shares information and ideas, discusses developments in the monastic world, and proposes projects. Members: Abbot Primate Jeremias Schroeder, OSB; Sister Lynn McKenzie, OSB, Moderator of the CIB; Abbot General Mauro-Giuseppe Lepori, OCist; Abbot General Bernardus Peeters, OCSO; Fr. Bernard Lorent Tayart, OSB (President of AIM); Fr. Charbel Pazat de Lys, OSB (Secretary General of AIM); Sister Ann Hoffman, OSB (Executive Director of AIM-USA); Fr. Ignasi Fossas, OSB (Abbot President of the Subiaco-Cassinese Congregation); Fr. Javier Aparicio Suárez, OSB (Abbot President of the Congregation of Sankt Ottilien); Fr. Maksymilian Nawara, OSB (Abbot President of the Congregation of the Annunciation); Sr. Rosann Ocken, OSB (Prioress General of the Benedictine Missionary Sisters of Tutzing); Fr. Lluc Torcal, OCist (delegate of the Cistercian Order); Fr. Clement Ettaniyil, OSB (ISBF delegate); Sr. Cristina Lavinhati (EMLA delegate); Fr. Peeter Eghwrugjakpor, OSB (delegate for Africa); Fr. Cyprian Consiglio, OSB (Secretary General of DIMMID); Fr. Emmanuel Cottinau, OCSO (Projects Committee); Fr. Brendan Thomas, OSB (Formation Committee); Sr. Isabelle (Communication Committee). The Assemby of AIM, november 2025. Committees: 1- Finance Committee The Finance Committee oversees AIM's finances, investments and fundraising, organises audits, approves the budget and submits an annual report to the Moderating Council and the Assembly. Members: Fr. Bernard Lorent Tayart, OSB (President of AIM); Fr. Charbel Pazat de Lys, OSB (Secretary General of AIM); Fr. Javier Aparicio Suárez, OSB; Fr. Emmanuel Cottinau, OCSO. 2- The Projects Committee The Projects Committee evaluates project applications, allocates project funds, approves disaster relief, and prepares an annual report for the Moderating Council and the Assembly. Members: Fr. Bernard Lorent Tayart, OSB (President of AIM); Fr. Charbel Pazat de Lys, OSB (Secretary General of AIM); Fr. Javier Aparicio Suárez, OSB; Fr. Emmanuel Cottinau, OCSO; Fr. Lluc Torcal, OCist; Sr. Sylvia Kilongo, OSB. 3- The Communication Committee The Communication Committee oversees all communications activities, in particular the newsletter, website and social media presence. Members: Fr. Bernard Lorent Tayart, OSB (President of AIM); Fr. Charbel Pazat de Lys, OSB (Secretary General of AIM); Sr. Isabelle; Fr. Andrea Serafino Dester, OSB; Fr. Jean-Pierre Longeat, OSB. 4- The Formation Committee The Formation Committee supports training activities in the monastic world by sharing information, organising or assisting with workshops, courses and meetings, developing guidelines, resources and training materials, liaising with the Sant'Anselmo Scholarship Committee, the MFP, the CFM (OCist), ICBE/BENET, and other monastic educational organisations. Members: Fr. Bernard Lorent Tayart, OSB (President of AIM); Fr. Charbel Pazat de Lys, OSB (Secretary General of AIM); Fr. Brendan Thomas, OSB (AIM Coordinator for Formation); Br. Colman O Claibaigh, OSB and Sr. Marie Johann Heo, OSB (MFP coordinators); Fr. Lluc Torcal, OCist (Director of OCist Formation); Fr. Marco Antonio Monaldo, OCSO (Director of OCSO Formation).

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The Benedictus Foundation The Benedictus Foundation was created in 2022. It is a Foundation sheltered by the Caritas France Foundation. It supports projects in favor of social works which benefit the populations living around the monasteries in continents outside of Western Europe and North America. VISION Monasteries are engaged in development projects that benefit the surrounding populations. By participating, donors are assured of contributing effectively to the transformation of the regions in which the monasteries are located. PROJECTS The latest projects supported by Benedictus concern: educational support around the Koubri monastery, a health bus in the Philippines, a dispensary in Cameroon, tree plantations in Madagascar, etc. SUSTAIN THE FOUNDATION The Benedictus Foundation collects donations made to it to support the projects it validates. contact.benedictus@gmail.com www.fondationcaritasfrance.org/fondations/fondation-benedictus/ Example of projects financed by the Benedictus Foundation: BABETE (Cameroon) – Dispensary to care for displaced populations on the Anglo-French fault line The fifteen Benedictines of Babete are rooted in the diocese of Bafoussam, in Cameroon. Their life is organized between prayer, work and hospitality. Due to the crisis in the English-speaking North-West part of Cameroon, reception has taken up much more space than before. The community opened an orphanage for 25 children aged between 2 months and 15 years old. In addition to care, food, health and education, the sisters are looking for host families to ensure the future of these children. The sisters also run a health center. People coming from villages in the North-West region are fleeing violence and abuses. Some were injured by bullets; they are taken to the hospital. Less severely affected people are treated at the health center (small injuries, fevers, headaches, malaria). Formerly the center was open for a few hours during the day; now it is open 24 hours a day. In such a context, juvenile delinquency develops with its share of serious consequences. Thus, many single mothers give birth at the age of 17, without having had any prenatal visit. Parents arrive at the health center with more diverse expectations: request for consultations, laboratory analyses, request for medications, dressings, prenatal visits, vaccinations, etc. The first objective is the reduction of infant mortality; it is necessary to acquire good equipment for ultrasound scans. For this dispensary project the sisters are requesting financial aid of €8,000. Make a donation You can help the Benedictus Foundation by making a donation • By credit card Online Fondationcaritasfrance.org/fondations/fondation-benedictus/ By bank check payable to: Fondation Benedictus to be sent to the address: Fondation Benedictus c/o AMTM 7 rue d'Issy - 92170 Vanves Fiscal advantages The Benedictus Foundation works under the aegis of the Caritas France Foundation, founded by Secours Catholique. The Caritas France Foundation, recognized as being of public utility, allows you to benefit from tax deductions for the IFI and IR, on your donations and generosity.

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Historical The Inter-Monastery Alliance has existed since 1961. In the sixty years since then, many events have occurred in the lives of the monasteries founded during this period. The AIM has therefore adapted to the needs of the communities, evolving from a mutual aid organization to an alliance among all the houses of the Benedictine Family throughout the world. Here is a brief overview of this history. History of AIM 1957: Through the Encyclical Fidei Donum, Pope Pius XII calls Christians to mobilize in the service of the expansion of the faith. The monks respond enthusiastically to this request. 1959: The Congress of Benedictine Abbots meeting in Rome proposes the creation of an information and coordination center for monastic establishment in mission countries. Dom Benno Gut, Abbot Primate, encourages the creation of a Secretariat. Dom Tholens, Abbot of Slangenburg, Dom Guesquiere, Abbot of Zevenkerken in Bruges formed with Father Abbot of Floris a study group for the project. He settled in Vanves, at the Ste-Bathilde Priory, to create with Sister Maur Esquerré de Rosny, Benedictine of Vanves, the beginning of this Secretariat. 1961: Father Abbot Primate officially establishes the Mission Secretariat which is entitled “Aid for Monastic Implantation” (AIM). The project is ratified in Ligugé on the occasion of the festivities in honor of St Martin. Dom Sortais, Abbot General of the Cistercians of the Strict Observance, supports the project. An association under French law was created on December 15. This is a legal support for the Secretariat under the control of a Management Council. Donations are collected for African foundations. 1962: The Synod of Abbot Presidents OSB ratifies the existence of the AIM until the next Congress of Abbots. 1964: A pan-African monastic meeting takes place in Bouaké in Ivory Coast. 1965: The edition of a liaison bulletin in French is created. 1966: The Congress of Abbots approves the existence of the AIM Secretariat created for Africa and extends its action to Latin America and Asia. The following year, Sister Pia Valeri, OSB, replaced Sister Maur Esquerré. Dom Paul Gordan, osb, Secretary General of the Benedictine Confederation joins the Management Council of the AIM. The Cistercians of strict observance are also represented by a delegate from their Abbot General. 1968: First pan-Asian monastic meeting in Bangkok (Thailand). 1969: The Liaison Bulletin also appears in English. In France, lay people created an association supporting the AIM: Friends of the Third World Monasteries (AMTM). 1972: A Latin American monastic meeting takes place in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), followed the following year by a second pan-Asian meeting in Bangalore, (India). An AIM secretariat is created in the USA. 1974: AIM develops its interest in Monastic Interreligious Dialogue (DIM - MID). 1975: A second Latin American monastic meeting takes place in Bogota (Colombia). 1976: AIM becomes: “Inter-Monastery Aid”. 1978: In the USA and in Paris, meetings concerning Monastic Interreligious Dialogue take place. 1979-1980: Successively, two international monastic meetings took place, the first in Abidjan (Ivory Coast), the second in Kandy (Sri-Lanka). 1982: Father Marie-Bernard de Soos, Founder of the Monastery of the Ascension in Dzogbégan (Togo) replaces Father Abbot de Floris, who resigned for health reasons. The AIM has internal regulations confirming its organization, its aim, its activities and its relationship with the Benedictine Confederation and the Cistercian Orders. The AIM Bulletin appears in Spanish. 1984: At the AIM Secretariat, Sister Thérèse Rodrigues, OSB, succeeds Sister Pia Valeri and will provide this service until 1993, Sister Alma Pedri, OSB then taking over until 1996. After an interim period provided by Sister Véronique Dupont, OSB, a lay person, Ms. Françoise Mazzoni, then another lay person, Mr. Jean-Jacques Mansion, were hired until the arrival of Sister Gisela Happ, OSB, in 2001. 1994: The Monastic Interreligious Dialogue is established as an autonomous organization. Father Pierre de Béthune, OSB, is the Secretary General, providing this service until 2007. On this date, Father William Skudlarek, OSB, succeeds him. A link is maintained between the AIM and the DIM-MID, in publications and the reciprocal invitation to annual meetings. 1997: After the resignation of Father Marie-Bernard de Soos, the new Abbot Primate, Marcel Rooney, surrounded by a few members, restructures the AIM to better adapt it and affirm it in its international service. Fr. Martin Neyt, OSB, becomes president of AIM and reports on its activities to a Council which meets once a year. A few representative members of the Orders form an Executive Committee which monitors international activities and meets twice a year, especially for the allocation of funds. Father Jacques Côté, OSB, is appointed Secretary General and resides in Rome. The AIM becomes “Alliance Inter Monastères”. Reciprocal exchanges between continents are increasing. 2001: Sister Gisela Happ, OSB, joins the AIM Secretariat in Vanves. She became its Secretary General a year later. Vanves is definitely the International Center of the AIM, hosted by the Sainte-Bathilde priory. A few years later, she would be assisted by Sister Marie-Placide Dolorès, OSB (congregation of Cogon, Philippines). 2004: New internal regulations confirm the reform of the structures put in place in 1997. 2006: The AIM creates a studium in Vanves in the premises of the Sainte-Bathilde priory: the Jean XXIII center, to welcome young nuns from Africa, Latin America and Asia coming to study in Paris. 2007: The AIM Bulletin appears in Portuguese in Brazil. 2013: Dom Jean-Pierre Longeat, abbot emeritus of Ligugé Abbey (France), becomes president of the AIM. 2016: The AIM Bulletin appears in German. In June of that same year, the Jean XXIII studium, housed in the buildings of the Sainte-Bathilde priory and managed by the AIM, was closed. 2017: Sister Christine Conrath, OSB, becomes secretary of AIM. She will remain in this position until March 2025. 2024: In September, Dom Jean-Pierre Longeat steps down as president after eleven years of service. Dom Bernard Lorent Tayart, abbot emeritus of Maredsous Abbey (Belgium), becomes president of the AIM. May 2025: Father Charbel Pazat de Lys, OSB, is appointed Secretary General for a five-year term. AIM serves the link between the communities of the Benedictine family, with particular attention to the young monastic foundations of the last sixty years. We observe an annual growth of 3 to 4 new communities; However, the number of nuns and monks in many large communities is decreasing.