The Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance elected Dom Bernardus Peeters as its new Abbot General on Feb. 11. At the time of his election, Dom Bernardus was Abbot of Koningshoeven Abbey in the Netherlands.

Dom Bernardus entered Koningshoeven in 1986, made his solemn profession in 1991 and was ordained in 1997.

Per the Order’s Constitutions, “the Abbot General is a bond of unity within the Order, he fosters good relations among the communities of both monks and nuns and is the watchful guardian of the Order’s patrimony, ensuring its growth. Above all he is to be a pastor who promotes the spirit of renewal in communities. He visits the monasteries sufficiently often, as he judges best, to be aware of the state of the whole Order, and be able to provide valuable help to individual superiors and communities.”

Dom Bernardus succeeds Dom Eamon Fitzgerald, who had served as Abbot General since 2008.

Please join us in praying for our new Abbot General as well as for Dom Eamon for his years of faithful service.

Dom Bernardus’ conference for the closing of the first part of the General Chapter is available on the Order’s website.