Father Rhabanus Erbacher OSB
Abtei Münsterschwarzach
Schwarzach am Main, Germany
28 January 2025
Abbot Primate Jeremias Congratulates Fr. Bernhard Eckerstorfer on Election as Abbot of Kremsmünster
"As abbot primate of the Benedictine Confederation and great chancellor of the Pontifical Athenaeum Sant’Anselmo in Rome, I warmly congratulate our rector, Fr. Dr. Bernhard Eckerstorfer OSB, on his election as abbot of the abbey of Kremsmünster in Austria". Continue reading. . .
Reflections from the Abbot : Open Doors
Abbot Primate Jeremias Schröder writes from Korea, where his Congregation is meeting at Waegwan Abbey, reflecting on Pope Francis’ Holy Year of Pilgrimage of Hope. Hope isn’t a gift, he says, but a virtue — a practice we must foster. He urges us to keep our doors open for God’s action in our lives and communities. Read the complete reflection here.
Ottilien Congregation Elects Javier Aparicio Suarez as Abbot President
During an extraordinary General Chapter in Waegwan, Korea, the Congregation of Saint Ottilien elected a new abbot president on 18 January.
Benedictine News and Elections
• New abbot president of Ottilien Congregation
• new abbots of Göttweig and Maredsous abbeys
• new papal appointments, congregations, and commissions.
Read the summaries here.
Father Paschal Scotti OSB
Portsmouth Abbey
Portsmouth, Rhode Island, U.S.A.
15 January 2025
Brother Godfrid Mbawala OSB
Abbey of St. Maurus
Hanga, Ruvuma, Tanzania
14 January 2025
Fr. Patrick Schöder Elected 66th Abbot of Göttweig Abbey
At the Göttweig Benedictine Abbey, Patrick Schöder OSB was elected 8 January as the new abbot. He succeeds Abbot Columban Luser as the 66th abbot of this historic monastery. Abbot Columban held this office for more than 15 years with prudence, spiritual depth, and foresight.
Père François Lear Elected as Ninth Abbot of Maredsous
The Benedictine monks of Maredsous have elected Père François Lear as their ninth abbot on 19 December 2024, following the decision of Père Abbé Bernard Lorent to assume the presidency of the Alliance for Inter-Monastic Cooperation. Story and video here.
Brother Placido Moccia OSB
Abbazia di Praglia
Teolo, Italy
5 January 2025