at the invitation of abbot ansgar schmidt, o.s.b., the abbot president of the benedictine congregation of the annunciation, of which st. andrew’s abbey is part, the monks at valyermo began an intensive period of study and reflection in preparation for the election of a new abbot. on 21 june 2010, the community elected their prior, damien toilolo o.s.b. as abbot for an eight-year term.