As the Salzburg Archabbey of St Peter announced on Tuesday evening, the regular election took place after the previous Archabbot Korbinian Birnbacher had been in office for twelve years.
According to the order, Auer is the youngest abbot in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
According to the announcement, the Benedictine monks eligible to vote met on 15 February for the election.
The inauguration is planned for Palm Sunday, 12 April. Auer expressed his confidence for the next twelve years. "For me, this day brought a great surprise that moves me deeply. Knowing about the long continuity, I will endeavour to enter the next twelve years in a spirit of trust and cooperation," said the 33-year-old.
Congratulations from the Archbishop
Jakob Auer joined the archabbey in 2013 and took his perpetual vows in 2018. He was ordained a priest in 2022 by the Archbishop of Salzburg and Chairman of the Austrian Bishops' Conference, Franz Lackner. Before his election, Auer was deputy to the archabbot.
Lackner congratulated the 33-year-old on his new role on Facebook and emphasised that it was a refreshing and beautiful sign in the Holy Year of Hope that the focus was on young people. "We also need their spirit to face the challenges of these days. I would therefore like to warmly congratulate the new Archabbot Jakob and wish him God's richest blessing for his work," said the Archbishop.
More than just a spiritual centre
The outgoing Archabbot Birnbacher also commented on Auer's election: "It has always been a great pleasure and honour for me to preside over the Archabbey of St. Peter. Grateful, strengthened and well-organised, I can hand over the leadership of this institution into the hands of Archabbot Jakob."
St Peter's Abbey was founded by St Rupert in 696 and elevated to the status of an archabbey by Pius XI in 1927.
The Benedictine monastery also includes commercial enterprises with around 80 employees and extensive land ownership.
For this reason, the monastery is more than just a spiritual centre for the city of Salzburg.