Pope Francis Honors Dom Guéranger
In a message dated 2 January 2025, and published on 30 January 30, Pope Francis commemorated the 150th anniversary of the death of Dom Prosper Guéranger, the founder of the Solesmes Congregation.
Sant’Anselmo Welcomes Pilgrims During Holy Year 2025
Sant’Anselmo is delighted to welcome pilgrims visiting during the Holy Year 2025. We are offering guided tours of our historic church, cloister, and other key areas in seven languages. Story and contact information here.
Fr. Jordi-Agustí Piqué i Collado appointed claustral prior of Montecassino
On 30 January, Archabbot Luca Fallica of Montecassino appointed Fr. Jordi-Agustí Piqué i Collado OSB, as the new claustral prior of the archabbey. Fr. Jordi was president of Sant’Anselmo’s Pontifical Institute of Liturgy for three terms.
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. Story and photos here.
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.
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. Story and links here.
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.
Data Report : OSB Atlas, Oblates, and Largest Monasteries
Fr. Patrick Carter OSB, secretary to the abbot primate, gives us some interesting statistics from OSB Atlas. Story, chart and graphs here.