At this year’s BCC meeting, participants shared updates on their communities’ engagement with China and heard insights from experts. The discussion included perspectives from Chinese priests and seminarians, offering a broader view of the Church’s current situation.
In this edition of NEXUS, Abbot Primate Jeremias shares his take on some events at Sant’Anselmo and in our Benedictine Confederation. He appreciates a recent letter of the Holy Father and reflects about the places to which we Benedictines are bound.
In this article, Abbot Jeremias takes us through six weeks' worth of notable monastic events, from leadership changes to community transitions. This overview both highlights stories in this issue of NEXUS and includes other key developments shaping the Benedictine world at the beginning of 2025.
On Ash Wednesday, 5 March, the traditional "stational" liturgy began at 4:30 p.m. in the Basilica of Sant'Anselmo. As Pope Francis recovered from bilateral pneumonia, Cardinal Angelo De Donatis presided over the celebration, leading the penitential procession to the Basilica of Santa Sabina. But why does the procession begin at Sant’Anselmo? In this essay, Fr. Stefan Geiger explains why. Includes video, photos and links.
From Gemelli Hospital to Sant'Anselmo, the Pope sent a message to the participants of the training course “Living the Liturgical Action in Fullness”. He kindly sent the text of the speech that he would have delivered in person at the special audience he had granted to the participants of the course. Story, document links and photos here.
Abbots from North and Central America gathered at St. Joseph Abbey for their annual workshop, discussing religious life, vocations, and the future of monastic communities. Details and photos here.
Kylemore Abbey
Connemara, County Galway, Ireland
23 February 2025
Archabbot Jakob is the 89th abbot and 7th archabbot of St Peter's, which was founded in 696 by Saint Rupert. Photos courtesy of Sant’Anselmo, where Archabbot Jakob studied with the Faculty of Theology during the academic year 2019-20 as part of his baccalaureate program at the University of Salzburg. Story and photos here.
On Tuesday, 25 February 2025, the community of Seitenstetten Abbey re-elected Abbot Petrus Pilsinger for a second term of office by canonical vote. His new term of office extends until he reaches the age of 70. Story, photos and curriculum vitae here.
At a luncheon held on 2 February, Abbot Primate Jeremias expressed profound thanks to Fr. Dorotej as Sant'Anselmo welcomed Fr. Sebastian as the rector of the basilica. Read more about Sebastian’s inspiring path.
