Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance

Spencer

On 23 July 2026, Dom Vincent Rogers completed his six-year mandate as abbot of St Joseph’s Abbey, Spencer (diocese of Worcester, USA).

On the same date the community elected Fr. Timothy Scott as abbot of Spencer for a six-year term.

Dom Timothy was born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA in 1960. He entered Spencer in 1988 and made his solemn profession in 1994. At the time of his election he was novice master in the community.

Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance

Vitorchiano

Mother Rosaria Spreafico, abbess of the monastery of Nostra Signora di San Giuseppe, Vitorchiano (diocese of Viterbo, Italy) since 1988, offered her resignation to the Abbot General in the light of ST 40.A of our Constitutions. With the consent of his Council, the Abbot General accepted the resignation, which became effective on July 3rd, 2026

On 22nd July 2026, the community of Vitorchiano elected Sr. Maria Giovanna Locatelli as abbess for a six-year term.

Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance

Travels of the Abbot General

29 - 31 July : Semana de Estudios Monasticos, Valladolid (Spain)

01 - 23 August : Annual Period of rest (Tilburg)

23 August - 03 September : Boa Vista and Novo Mundo (Brazil)

10 - 18 September : General Chapter Congregation of San Bernard Las Huelgas (Spain)

21 September - 05 October : Regular Visitation Sepf-Fons (France)

11 - 17 October : Tilburg (The Netherlands)

18 - 23 October : OL of Silence, Roscrea ISLES Meeting (Ireland)

Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance

Glencairn

On July 11, 2026, The Solemnity of Saint Benedict, Sister Beatrice Brady made solemn profession at St Mary’s Abbey of Glencairn (Ireland).

Sister Beatrice was born in Cavan (Ireland) in 1995. She entered Glencairn in 2018 and made first profession in 2021

Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance

Gethsemani

On July 11, 2026, at the end of his third term as Abbot, Dom Elias Dietz was re-elected Abbot of Gethsemani (USA) for a new six-year term.

Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance

Lantao

On July 11, 2026, The Solemnity of Saint Benedict, Brother Dominic Quan made solemn profession at the Our Lady of Joy Abbey (Hong Kong)

Brother Dominic was born in Qing Hai, China in 1963. He re-entered Lantao in 2019 and made first profession in 2020.

Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance

529 – JUBILEE – 2029 (2026 – NURCIA – AWAKEN)

On this feast of St. Benedict, we offer you a reflection by Abbess Eustochium Lee OSB, and some questions for personal or communal reflection.

See reflection:

See questions:

Highly recommended!

Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance

Naší Paní

On June 29, 2026, The Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Sister M. Lenka Zábovská made solemn profession at the Monastery of Naší Paní (Czech Republic).

Sister M. Lenka was born in Považská Bystrica (Slovakia) in 1981. She re-entered Naší Paní in April 2021 and made first profession in July 2021.

Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance

Liturgical Courses: Reminder and New Announcement

There are 2 Liturgical Courses coming in July and September this year:

1. Liturgical inculturation: definitions, guiding principles, models and criteria (This is a reminder of the news published on May 4)

Online course, one day

Speaker: Abbot Olivier-Marie SARR OSB, Abbot of Keur Moussa Abbey in Senegal, Professor at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of Sant’Anselmo in Rome.

Time: July 27, 2026, 8:30-12:00 and 14:00-17:30 (Rome time).

Format: Online via ZOOM with simultaneous translation in Vietnamese, English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Polish, and Portuguese.

Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance

Venezuela

We would like to inform you that yesterday evening, June 24, 2026 local time, Venezuela was affected by two strong earthquakes. By God’s grace, our monasteries in Los Andes and Humocaro are safe.

We kindly ask for your prayers for the safety and well-being of our brothers and sisters in these communities, as well as for all the people in the affected regions who are facing this difficult situation. May the Lord grant them strength, protection, and comfort in this time of need.

Order of Cistercians of the Strict Observance

Blauvac

On June 24, 2026, The Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, Sister Marie-Théophane Van Hattum made solemn profession at the Abbey of Our Lady of Good Help, Blauvac (France).

Sister Marie-Théophane was born in Leiden (The Netherlands) in 1970. She entered the monastery in Arnhem in 2016, made her first profession in 2019, and transferred her stability to Blauvac in 2022.