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.
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.
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.
We are pleased to announce the appointment of Brother Colmán Ó Clabaigh OSB, and Sister Marie Johann Heo OSB, as the new coordinators of the Monastic Formators’ Program.
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 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.
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.
"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. . .
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.
During an extraordinary General Chapter in Waegwan, Korea, the Congregation of Saint Ottilien elected a new abbot president on 18 January.
• New abbot president of Ottilien Congregation
• new abbots of Göttweig and Maredsous abbeys
• new papal appointments, congregations, and commissions.
Read the summaries here.
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.
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.
Fr. Patrick Carter OSB, secretary to the abbot primate, gives us some interesting statistics from OSB Atlas. Story, chart and graphs here.
Newly-installed Secretary General Fr. Cyprian Consiglio OSB Cam, delivers a report on his travels and future plans for DIMMID. Story, links and photos here.
Archabbot Cirill T. Hortobágyi OSB, abbot president of the Hungarian Benedictine Congregation and archabbot of Pannonhalma, recently led an ecumenical delegation to Istanbul at the invitation of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Story, photos and links here.
If you receive communications from Benedictines with whom you are not normally in contact, and if they involve money, verify the contact through an abbot president, the CIB, or the abbot primate's office. More details here.
Abbot Primate Jeremias introduces NEXUS, a monthly news bulletin connecting Benedictine communities with updates, resources and necrology notices. It comes out in six languages. The automatic translations still need improvement, please be patient. Recent highlights include insights from the Synod on Synodality and efforts to enhance collaboration within the Benedictine Confederation. As Advent begins, Abbot Jeremias encourages communities to embody hope, the theme for the upcoming Holy Year.
These short articles include highlights regarding leadership changes across Benedictine communities, from Scotland to South Africa, with key appointments including Father Simon Piatkowski at Pluscarden Abbey and Abbot Boniface Kamushisi in Inkamana; strategic reviews of organizational structures; and hints of future initiatives such as a new abbot training program.
The Catalogus 2025 project introduces a digital platform in collaboration with the Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum (CIB) to streamline information gathering and management. This initiative will assist with Vatican forms, directories, statistics and more, while simplifying the production of the print Catalogus. Updates on progress will be shared as work continues with the Benedictine Confederation and CIB.
Following a process that started in 2021, Sant'Anselmo has taken a decisive step forward in developing a corporate design that will shape its overall internal and external image. This new design embodies the character the Sant'Anselmo administration wishes to project across all initiatives and communications.
Shortly after his election in September, Abbot Primate Jeremias Schröder appointed Fr. Brendan Coffey, abbot emeritus of Glenstal Abbey in Murroe, County Limerick, Ireland, as prior of Collegio Sant’Anselmo. Fr. Brendan will assume formal responsibility for his new role on 7 January.
Due to political instability, the Theological Study Year in Jerusalem has temporarily relocated to Rome, continuing its program of biblical studies, ecumenism, and interreligious dialogue. Leveraging support from Sant’Anselmo, the program has adapted to a new context while exploring Rome’s rich historical ties to the Holy Land.
Events
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