On Thursday 21 March 2019, the Abbey of Montecassino celebrated the Solemnity of the Transitus of Saint Benedict, Father of Western Monasticism. See story, homily of Cardinal Becciù, articles, and photos here.
On 1 February, the Benedictine Congregation of Saint Mary of Monte Oliveto elevated two monasteries to the rank of abbey. The new abbeys of St Bernard Tolomei in South Korea and Holy Cross in Northern Ireland subsequently elected two new abbots. Story here.
The Benedictine Commission on China brings together representatives from Benedictine monasteries throughout the world to exchange information about the work of their communities related to China and to discuss cooperation on projects for China. This year the meeting was held on 9 March at Sant'Anselmo. Story and photo links here.
From 22-26 February 2019, Saint Bernard Abbey in Cullman, Alabama (USA) hosted the quadrennial meeting of Benedictine Abbots and Prioresses. More than 75 monastic superiors representing more than 2,700 Benedictine men and women in the Americas attended the meeting. More details here.
As is tradition on Ash Wednesday, the Holy Father arrived at the Basilica of Sant'Anselmo for Statio prayers with the Benedictine and Dominican communities, followed by the Lenten penitential procession to the first stational Mass at the Basilica of Santa Sabina. Video, papal homily, and news coverage here.
Pope Francis has chosen Olivetan Benedictine Abbot Bernardo Gianni OSB Oliv., of the Abbey of San Miniato al Monte in Florence, to preach his Lenten spiritual exercises in Ariccia, Italy from 10-15 March 2019. See story, articles, video, and photos here.
In mid-January 2019, the governing body of the Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum (CIB), the worldwide association of female Benedictine monastic communities, met at the Benedictine Abtei St. Scholastika in Dinklage, Germany. Further details here.
On 19 January 2019, the community of the Abbey of Keur Moussa, near Dakar, Senegal, elected Sant’Anselmo Professor of Liturgy Fr. Olivier-Marie Sarr abbot of their monastery. Story, photos and links here.
On the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, 12 December 2018, the monastic community of the Abbey of Christ in the Desert elected Dom Christian Leisy OSB as its new Abbot. More details here.
The Benedictine monastic community of Pachacámac has moved to the property of a formerly Cistercian monastery in Lurín, Peru. The Cistercian community previously living there, having to return to Spain, invited the Benedictines to continue their monastic presence on the site. Story and photos here.
