Abbot Elias Lorenzo

Abbot Elias Lorenzo, OSB

A monk of St. Mary’s, Elias Lorenzo,  served as prior of the Benedictine Abbey of Sant’ Anselmo in Rome, the seat of the Abbot Primate, an international school of theology, and residence for monks studying at various Roman universities. He was invited to address the 2016 General Chapter of the American Cassinese Congregation of Benedictine monasteries in the summer of 2016. Much to his surprise, he was elected president of the Congregation. This is a position requiring abbatial rank, and so he was blessed as abbot on the spot. He resides at St. Mary’s but serves the needs of the congregation.

Abbot Elias is the third member of St. Mary’s to be elected to this position, following Abbots Ernest Helmstetter and Martin Burne.


The abbatial blessing of Abbot Elias Lorenzo, OSB, as Abbot-President of the American Cassinese Congregation, June 23, 2016.