On March 1st, the Abbot President of the Ottilien Congregation appointed Fr Theodore Tembo (38) new prior of Katibunga in Zambia. At the time of his appointment Fr Theodore worked as an intern at the goldsmith workship at Münsterschwarzach.

On February 26th, the Pope issued a message to the Abbot Primate and the Papal Institute of Liturgy of the occasion of course for Masters of Ceremonies. The message was issued from the Gemelli clinic. Details here.

On February 25th, the Archabbey of St Peter in Salzburg, the oldest monastery in the German speaking lands, announced the election of Fr Jakob Auer as the archabbot of the community. Archabbot Jakob (33) previously served as prior of the community and as secretary of the Salzburg Conference of Abbots. Story and photos here.

Also on February 25th, the monks of Seitenstetten re-elected Abbot Petrus Pilsinger (60), who will be in office until he turns 70. Story and photos here.

The Monastic Formators Program got new leaders on February 10. Bro Colmán Ó Clabaigh of Glenstal, Annuntiation Congregation, and Sr M. Johann Heo of the Tutzing Sisters are taking over from Abbot Brendan Thomas (Belmont, EBC) and Abbot President Javier Aparico (Ottilien Congregation). The next MFP will be held in 2026. Story and program links here.

The nuns of Engelthal in Germany, of the Beuronese Congregation, announced that they will leave their current site and move in with a community of Sisters of the Holy Cross on Rochusberg, a spectacular shrine in the diocese of Mainz, overlooking the Rhine Valley.

On February 2, Fr Doroteo Toic of the Croatian monastery of Ćokovac, of the Slav Congregation, handed over his responsibilities as rector of the basilica at Sant’Anselmo and as oblate assistant to his successors and moved to the Priory of Maribor in Slovenia where he will strengthen the small local community. Fr Doroteo has served Sant’Anselmo in different capacities for more than 20 years. Link here.

1 January: Fr Luis Javier García-Lomas Gago, monk of Silos of the Solesmes Congregation and professor at Sant’Anselmo, was appointed vice-postulator for the beatification of Dom Prosper Guéranger.

On January 30, Fr Jordi-Agustin Piqué of Montserrat, of the Congregation of Subiaco-Montecassino, professor and former president of the Pontifical Institute of Liturgy, was appointed prior of Montecassino. Story and photos here.

Also on 30 January: Pope Francis issued a letter to honour the 150th anniversary of the death of Prosper Guéranger. Story and translations here.

On 25 January the monks of Kremsmünster, Austrian Congregation, elected Fr Bernhard Eckerstorf its new abbot. Until his election, Fr Bernhard was the Rector of our University here at Sant’Anselmo. Our joy is therefore mixed with regret! Fr Laurentius Eschlböck of Schottenstift, of the Austrian Congregation, has taken over the reins of the university as Prorector. Story here.

On 23 January Abbot Peter von Sury of Mariastein, Swiss Congregation, resigned. The election is planned for 4th April. In the interim, the monastery is lead by an administrator.