The International Oblate Congress originally for scheduled for November of 2021 has been rescheduled again for September 9-16, 2023. Presumably the pandemic will be over by that time. This rescheduling was announced on December 1 by Abbot Primate Gregory Polan, O.S.B. in his letter to superiors of monasteries, Abbot Primate Gregory said, “We count on your usual collaboration for the success of this important event, which we are working on together with the International Team of Benedictine Oblates.” For more information you may contact the website for the congress, view the invitation letter, view the timetable, or email Father Benoit Alloggia, O.S.B., who has been coordinating plans for the congressa.

The next Benedictine Educators Network conference, sponsored by the International Commission on Benedictine Education, will be held at Colegio São Bento in Rio de Janeiro from October 11-14, 2023. The conference is for administrators and teachers in Benedictine secondary schools. Please visit the website for more information and registration.

Prior's Conference at Saint Leo Abbey, Florida, November 9-12, 2023 Contact Fr. Prior at for reservations. View the brochure.

Earlier this summer, the Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes of Last week, the General Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops released several documents in preparation for the 2023 Synod Bishops, with the theme of “For a synodal Church: communion, participation, mission.” The Preparatory Document is “a tool to facilitate the first phase of listening to and consulting the People of God in the particular Churches.” The Vademecum is the handbook for listening and discernment in local churches, with a focus on the work of the Diocesan Contact Team.

Earlier this summer, the Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life invited conferences of religious from around the world to participate in the synodal journey by seeking and providing input in preparation for the Synod. Specifically, Cardinal João Braz de Aviz, prefect of CICLSAL, has asked to provide feedback in Spring 2022. In doing so, he notes that “To ensure the synodal church is not a mirage, but rather a dream to be realized, it is necessary to dream together, to pray together, and to work together.”

Abbot Primate Gregory Polan, O.S.B. has announced the dates of the Congress of Abbots at Sant'Anselmo in Rome to be on September 10-19, 2024 inclusive (with September 9 and 20 as travel days). The Congress will also include the election of the Abbot Primate. The Synod of Abbots President will finalize the schedule and program when they meet on August 27 through September 3, 2023. For more information at this time, contact the curia of the Abbot Primate: curia@anselmianum.com For more information on registration, accommodations, etc: