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.
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.
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.
