Introduction

The Benedictine Confederation's 19 congregations present a complex tapestry of monastic life in the 21st century, spanning six continents and encompassing diverse cultural, linguistic and pastoral contexts. These reports, from 18 of the 19 congregations, span the years 2016 to 2024, and reveal both the enduring vitality of Benedictine monasticism and the adaptive challenges facing communities worldwide. Whilst Western monasteries grapple with declining vocations and ageing populations, Asian and African communities demonstrate remarkable growth and dynamism. The reports underscore the importance of Sant'Anselmo as a unifying centre for formation and the Confederation's role in fostering communion across cultural and geographical boundaries.

Subiaco Cassinese Congregation

The largest congregation comprises 1,176 monks across eight provinces, 54 sui juris monasteries and 12 dependent houses. The congregation's recent General Chapter elected a new Abbot President and voted on constitutional revisions. The Covid-19 pandemic prevented the 2020 General Chapter but produced the valuable Instrumentum laboris document emphasising communion and witness. The congregation views itself as a "polyhedron" reflecting its pluralism and richness, celebrating 150 years with reflections on its identity as a space of communion rather than uniformity. Despite changes from its origins, the congregation maintains its commitment to autonomy, subsidiarity and diversity.

English Congregation

The English Benedictine Congregation underwent significant restructuring following the Cor Orans instruction. The congregation now comprises 10 abbeys of monks and four of nuns, with major changes including Colwich Abbey's suppression and the aggregation of three previously independent abbeys. Total membership stands at 249 solemnly professed members (178 monks, 71 nuns). The congregation has implemented comprehensive safeguarding measures through Praesidium and achieved 25 standards across all monasteries. The Covid-19 pandemic prompted new approaches to formation and contemplative life. Stanbrook Abbey celebrated its 400th anniversary in 2024, whilst the Community of Saint Gregory the Great departed Downside after 200 years due to declining numbers.

Hungarian Congregation

The Hungarian Benedictine Congregation operates 82 monks across four independent monasteries, having rebuilt from severe communist-era restrictions that reduced their numbers from 350 to 80 monks. Since 1989, the congregation has reopened former abbeys at Tihany and Bakonybél, with both elevated to independent priories in 2012. The congregation operates extensive educational institutions, with Pannonhalma Archabbey running 11 schools serving 5,000 students. They also manage three social care homes for the elderly, with the assistance of funding from the Hungarian state. Pannonhalma serves 15 parishes with 21,000 Catholics, whilst their historical buildings attract significant tourism, with Pannonhalma designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Swiss Congregation

The Swiss Benedictine Congregation comprises 139 monks as of 2024, down from 147 in 2023, alongside 76 nuns and 65 sisters in separate federations. The congregation experienced leadership changes including Abbot Beda Szukics's resignation at Muri-Gries and subsequent elections. The 2020 Chapter was cancelled due to coronavirus, with only video conferences held. The 2023 General Chapter decided against merging with the nuns' and sisters' federations, maintaining separate structures whilst revising statutes. In 2024, the congregation established a civil law association in Einsiedeln to facilitate legal operations.

Austrian Congregation

The Austrian Congregation declined from 288 to 260 members between 2017 and 2024, with current membership including 195 priests and 36 brothers. The congregation has embraced ecological initiatives following Pope Francis's Laudato si', with each monastery undertaking environmental projects and assessing carbon footprints. They support afforestation and solar power projects in Uganda through cooperation with Sankt Ottilien Congregation. The Covid-19 pandemic affected six monasteries with full quarantines and claimed three lives, but also fostered innovation in pastoral approaches. The congregation celebrates its 400th anniversary in 2025 with pilgrimages and symposiums.

Brazilian Congregation

Brazil's Benedictine Congregation comprises 27 monasteries with 421 total members: 11 masculine monasteries housing 165 members and 16 feminine monasteries with 256 members. The congregation has experienced significant leadership changes, with Dom Gregório Bem Lâmed Paixão appointed Metropolitan Archbishop of Fortaleza. The São Paulo monastery faces a Pontifical Commission process, whilst the Rio de Janeiro monastery offers extensive theology courses both in-person and online. The congregation closed Our Lady of Hope Priory in Rio Branco after 29 years, reflecting ongoing challenges in maintaining smaller communities.

Solesmes Congregation

The Solesmes Congregation has experienced steady decline, with monks decreasing 15% from 637 to 554 between 2016 and 2024, whilst nuns declined 14% from 191 to 167. However, nun novices and postulants increased 33% from six to nine. The congregation held General Chapters in 2019 and 2023, focusing on young people and synodality respectively. Significant constitutional amendments were approved, including statutes for hermits and criteria for regular oblates. Nine abbatial elections occurred between 2018 and 2024, with Sainte-Marie Abbey in Paris scheduled for canonical closure in 2027 after losing all monks.

American Cassinese Congregation

The American Cassinese Congregation comprises 581 monks across multiple abbeys, declining from 596 in 2023. The congregation faces a "vocational paradox" where public interest in monastic life exists but few choose to become monks. Recent constitutional changes allow non-clerical members to serve as major superiors, with one abbey electing a non-cleric abbot. The congregation conducted numerous canonical visitations and pastoral visits, whilst Abadia de San Antonio Abad explores new governance structures. The 55th General Chapter will address civil incorporation and canonical law changes.

Beuronese Congregation

The Beuron Congregation comprises 323 members across 19 monasteries in Germany, Austria, Denmark and Italy, with equal representation of 151 male and 172 female religious. The congregation faces low vocations, mainly attracting individuals over 30, raising questions about long-term sustainability of all houses. Most monasteries achieve self-sufficiency but none are wealthy, with concerns about future financial viability as members age. The congregation has embraced digital innovation, launching an online video forum in 2023 and preparing to publish the 100th volume of Erbe und Auftrag in 2024. Three women religious from the congregation serve on Germany's Synodal Committee.

Swiss-American Congregation

The Swiss-American Congregation encompasses 417 monks across 17 monasteries in North and Latin America, operating extensive educational and retreat ministries. The congregation has implemented special arrangements for the Priory of the Ascension, suspending ordinary governance whilst working with the Missionary Servants of the Word for future operations. Priorato San José in Guatemala received assistance from three monks to renew monastic life, whilst Priorato de la Resurrección maintains 15 monks with nine in formation. Seven abbatial elections occurred between 2016 and 2023, with Father Justin Brown elected Abbot President in June 2023.

Saint Ottilien Congregation

The Sankt Ottilien Congregation totals 1,021 monks, with Africa accounting for 57.7% of members across 26 houses. The congregation demonstrates remarkable geographic diversity: African communities average 43.8 years of age, whilst European communities average 66.9 years. Four communities exceed 100 monks, three in Tanzania and one in Korea. The congregation elevated Tigoni Kenya to abbey status in 2020 and opened new houses in Egypt, Mozambique, Zambia, India and the US. The Covid-19 pandemic claimed at least four lives but accelerated digital cooperation. The congregation faces the challenge of maintaining unity whilst managing fast growth in East Africa alongside declining European communities.

Annunciation Congregation

The Annunciation Congregation spans four continents with 450 monks and 46 nuns across 32 houses, plus 27 affiliated communities including Lutheran and Anglican communities. The 2022 General Chapter incorporated new communities in Ukraine and Peru whilst affiliating others. Recent constitutional amendments strengthen presidential authority for canonical visitations and community administration. The congregation faces transitions with Clerlande nearing closure and Ettioles preparing re-foundation as a Cistercian house by 2026. The Community of Resurrection in Peru operates with brothers, sisters and lay oblates sharing contemplative life responsibilities.

Slav Congregation

The smallest congregation comprises just 25 monks across five monasteries in three countries, highlighting the vulnerability of small communities where individual departures significantly impact stability. The congregation faced crisis when Prior Augustin Gazda's sudden death in 2019 left Rajhrad Abbey without leadership, requiring external support. Despite fragility, the congregation shows signs of consolidation, particularly as property restitution processes near completion, bringing financial stability. The 2018 election of Abbot Prokop Siostrzonek at Břevnov and the 2021 election of an Abbot President from within the congregation marked important steps towards self-governance.

Olivetan Congregation

The Monte Oliveto Congregation maintains 172 solemnly and simply professed monks across 16 houses spanning Italy, France, UK, Israel, South Korea, USA, Brazil and Guatemala. The congregation celebrated its 600th anniversary in 2019 by elevating Holy Cross in Northern Ireland and Saint Bernard Tolomei in South Korea to abbey status. Recent years have seen both consolidation and expansion, with three monasteries canonically suppressed whilst Korean monks establish a new foundation in Myanmar. The congregation maintains about 30 novices and postulants, with formation houses in Italy, Israel, South Korea, USA and Guatemala.

Vallombrosian Congregation

The Vallombrosian Congregation celebrated the 950th anniversary of founder Saint John Gualbert's death in 2023. With 72 solemnly professed monks across 13 monasteries in Italy, Brazil and India, the congregation has restructured to create two sui juris communities in Italy for formation whilst permitting Brazilian houses to operate their own novitiates from 2022. The congregation faced a difficult economic period due to property investments during the 2007-2008 crisis but achieved a turning point in 2023 through property sales. Italian communities now rely on Indian confreres due to lack of local candidates, whilst India shows promise for expansion beyond Syro-Malabar dioceses.

Camaldolese Congregation

The Camaldolese Congregation maintains 93 monks across four sui juris houses, with Shantivanam Ashram in India gaining independence at the 2023 General Chapter. Father Matteo Ferrari's election as Prior General marked significant leadership transitions. Vocations flourish particularly at Camaldoli and in India, with young candidates entering alongside older postulants. The Brazilian foundation struggles with only two monks remaining, whilst the Tanzanian foundation shows promise with two monks returning after studies. Economic challenges persist following Covid-19 and natural disasters, prompting increased collaboration among Italian communities.

Silvestrine Congregation

The Silvestrina Congregation maintains stability with 200 members across 29 monasteries spanning Italy, USA, Australia, Sri Lanka, India, the Philippines and Democratic Republic of Congo. Remarkably, 81% of members are of Asian and African origin, with Indians comprising 47.5% and Sri Lankans 22.5%. The congregation has experienced significant growth in Asia and Africa, offsetting Western decline. Major developments include the closure of Holy Face Giulianova, expansion to 29 houses from 24, and the elevation of two residences to full monastery status. The community has celebrated numerous anniversaries, including the 175th for their Sri Lankan priory. Challenges include secularisation, individualism and economic pressures, though vocations in Asia and Africa provide hope for continued growth.

Cono-Sur Congregation

Founded in 1976, this congregation represents remarkable diversity, with monasteries originating from various European traditions including Sublacense, Solesmes, Beuron and Swiss congregations. The congregation has experienced a 10% decline from 223 to 199 members over eight years, with monk monasteries decreasing from eight to seven and nun monasteries from nine to eight. The Conference of Monastic Communities of the Southern Cone continues to publish Cuadernos Monásticos quarterly.

Conclusion

These reports reveal a Benedictine Confederation in transition, adapting to contemporary challenges whilst maintaining its foundational commitments to prayer, community and service. The demographic shift towards Asia and Africa, evident across multiple congregations, reflects both the universal appeal of Benedictine monasticism and the particular vitality of younger churches. Western congregations demonstrate resilience through innovation, ecological initiatives and new forms of collaboration, even as they confront declining numbers and ageing populations.

The role of Sant'Anselmo emerges as increasingly vital in this global context, providing formation opportunities that span cultures and continents. The Confederation's strength lies not in uniformity but in its capacity to embrace diversity whilst maintaining communion—a living example of unity in difference that speaks to our fragmented world. As these congregations look towards the future, their collective witness testifies to the enduring relevance of Benedictine monasticism in offering spaces of prayer, learning and hospitality to a world in need of contemplative wisdom.