New Monastery Tote Bags posted 12/20/08
We are pleased to offer you a new product which many people have requested. We now have monastery tote bags that are 100% cotton and feature the photo of the chapel you see above. They are perfect for shopping, school, work, travel, and home use. For more information and for ordering, go to the gift shop and then to "Monastery Tote Bag".
Our Brother Makes His Solemn Vows
Brother Anselmo Vargas Castro made his solemn vows December 12th on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He came to us from La Soledad, one of our two dependent houses in Mexico. He is a medical doctor. He is a great baker and a strong worker in all that we ask of him. Some of his family from Mexico were able to travel to the Monastery to share in this wonderful event.
Our New Monastic Residence in Texas
We have just completed the purchase of 297 acres of land south of Dallas, Texas, near Kerens, Texas, for a new monastic residence called THIEN TAM, which means Heavenly or Sacred Heart. It will be a monastery for Vietnamese vocations and in time, God willing, a full-fledged abbey. The spacious dwelling already on the property will be remodeled in 2009 to house the monks until a complete monastery can be constructed to accommodate, perhaps, as many as fifty.
Our Brother Paul Nygyen Huu Phuoc is in residence there now as the superior and Fr Mayeul Tran Van Thu is with him. Next year others of our Vietnamese professed monks will be going to THIEN TAM. One of our monks, Fr Andrew Nguyen is currently fundraising throughout the country for this new venture.
Like Christ in the Desert and the other monasteries associated with us, the emphasis is on simple monastic life, celebrating the Liturgy of the Hours throughout the day, along with suitable work to earn the daily bread. In time hospitality will also be offered for private retreats, as we do here at Christ in the Desert.
Please pray for each of these projects and know that the monks in each are praying for the needs of the world and for all people.
Our Annual Community Retreat
This year our annual community retreat (November 2 - 8) was conducted by Fr Prior Luke Anderson, a Cistercian monk and priest of Saint Mary's Priory, New Ringgold, Pennsylvania. Prior Luke is 81 years young but the epitome of energy and vitality, completely captivating us with his fine conferences on basic monastic values, especially that of humility. His excellent sense of humor kept us quite alert to his points and awaiting his next example from monastic lore that he has seen or heard about in his many decades of life in a monastery.
An expert on the writings of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, who lived from 1090-1153, Prior Luke wove many of the teachings of Saint Bernard into the twice daily conferences and homilies at Mass. His main text was St. Bernard's The Steps of Humility and Pride. It was also the text that was read at Table during the retreat.
We feel very fortunate and blessed to have experienced the wit and wisdom of Prior Luke, who has greatly encouraged us on our monastic journey. May God bless Prior Luke and his holy band of brothers at Saint Mary's Priory.
November 15, 2008
We just received news of the death of a dear friend of our monastery, Sr. Jeremy Hall, OSB, of St. Benedict Monastery, in St. Joseph, Minnesota. May Sr. Jeremy now enjoy the rewards of eternal life. Please pray for her and all the faithful departed. November is traditionally the month of special prayer for all the deceased.
November 13, 2008
Today is the 24th anniversary of the death of our founder, Fr. Aelred Wall. A Memorial Page is in preparation.
November 10, 2008
Yesterday evening, Br. Paul Nguyen transferred his solemn vows to Christ in the Desert. He is currently stationed in Texas and is the first monk to be living at our new domus of Thien Tham near Dallas.
Fundraising and Fellowship Events Were Held in Lubbock, TX
November 8 and 9, 2008
Three dear friends and benefactors of our monastery graciously offered to raise funds and friendships on our behalf in their hometown of Lubbock.
Fundraising and Fellowship Events in Lubbock included a Morning of Monastic Reflection, preaching at a Sunday Mass, and conducting a session for the Diaconate Formation class. At the Morning session our time included chanting portions of the Daily Office, presentations about monastic life, discussion of one's spiritual journey, and information about our flourishing community, along with ways to visit and support the Monastery.
The donations given for the morning program benefited our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat.
Celebrating New Guest House Windows
From our beginning, we at the Monastery have had a strong interest in environmental and ecological concerns. In mid October we were able to replace our old, singled-paned windows at our main Guesthouse with new energy efficient ones, thanks to a generous grant of nearly $7,000.00 from the Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
This help for improving the Guesthouse, which is such an important work for us and the primary source of income for the Monastery, is very much appreciated.
If you haven't visited us in a while, we welcome you to come for the day, or plan on a private retreat (two nights or longer) in our Guesthouse and rejoice with us in the beauty and warmth of our new windows!
For more information about helping us fund the improvement of our buildings, water system, or solar system, please contact Subprior Christian, our Cellarer at the Monastery.
We also invite you to visit the Catholic Foundation's website to learn more about the essential work they do throughout the Archdiocese. www.thecatholicfoundation.org.
Relic of St. Jude
St. Jude was one of the Apostles and was a brother of St. James the Less and a cousin of Jesus Christ. He ministered in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea (Edom), Mesopotamia (Iraq), and Lybia. He was martyred in Armenia. Not much else is known about his life.
Starting on October 15, The Arm Relic of St. Jude was displayed here at our abbey, as part of a "tour" of New Mexico.
This Major Relic of St. Jude Thaddeus was permanently displayed at the Shrine of St. Jude on January 28, 1999 to inaugurate the 70th Anniversary year of the Shrine. It consists of a major portion of the Saint's arm bones and is encased in a silver arm casting. The relic was brought to Turkey in the early 18th century by Armenian Dominican missionaries who were fleeing persecution in their own country. It was preserved first in Holy Rosary Church in Smyrna and then in Turin Italy. In 1949 the Turin Dominican province generously gave the relic to the Shrine of St. Jude Thaddaeus with the hope that it might be treasured by more of the faithful.
October 3, 2008
Today our postulant was received into the Noviciate. His new name in religion is Br. Bruno. When he isn't doing dishes, he helps process Thank You letters and also updates the Website.
September 17, 2008
Today Br. John Dat Nguyen will be buried. He died suddenly Sunday morning in his cell. There was a Requiem Mass for him the next day. His Funeral Mass will be held at noon today with burial right after. We put together a Memorial Page for him.
We are pleased to offer you a new product which many people have requested. We now have monastery tote bags that are 100% cotton and feature the photo of the chapel you see above. They are perfect for shopping, school, work, travel, and home use. For more information and for ordering, go to the gift shop and then to "Monastery Tote Bag".
Our Brother Makes His Solemn Vows
Brother Anselmo Vargas Castro made his solemn vows December 12th on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He came to us from La Soledad, one of our two dependent houses in Mexico. He is a medical doctor. He is a great baker and a strong worker in all that we ask of him. Some of his family from Mexico were able to travel to the Monastery to share in this wonderful event.
Our New Monastic Residence in Texas
We have just completed the purchase of 297 acres of land south of Dallas, Texas, near Kerens, Texas, for a new monastic residence called THIEN TAM, which means Heavenly or Sacred Heart. It will be a monastery for Vietnamese vocations and in time, God willing, a full-fledged abbey. The spacious dwelling already on the property will be remodeled in 2009 to house the monks until a complete monastery can be constructed to accommodate, perhaps, as many as fifty.
Our Brother Paul Nygyen Huu Phuoc is in residence there now as the superior and Fr Mayeul Tran Van Thu is with him. Next year others of our Vietnamese professed monks will be going to THIEN TAM. One of our monks, Fr Andrew Nguyen is currently fundraising throughout the country for this new venture.
Like Christ in the Desert and the other monasteries associated with us, the emphasis is on simple monastic life, celebrating the Liturgy of the Hours throughout the day, along with suitable work to earn the daily bread. In time hospitality will also be offered for private retreats, as we do here at Christ in the Desert.
Please pray for each of these projects and know that the monks in each are praying for the needs of the world and for all people.
Our Annual Community Retreat
This year our annual community retreat (November 2 - 8) was conducted by Fr Prior Luke Anderson, a Cistercian monk and priest of Saint Mary's Priory, New Ringgold, Pennsylvania. Prior Luke is 81 years young but the epitome of energy and vitality, completely captivating us with his fine conferences on basic monastic values, especially that of humility. His excellent sense of humor kept us quite alert to his points and awaiting his next example from monastic lore that he has seen or heard about in his many decades of life in a monastery.
An expert on the writings of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, who lived from 1090-1153, Prior Luke wove many of the teachings of Saint Bernard into the twice daily conferences and homilies at Mass. His main text was St. Bernard's The Steps of Humility and Pride. It was also the text that was read at Table during the retreat.
We feel very fortunate and blessed to have experienced the wit and wisdom of Prior Luke, who has greatly encouraged us on our monastic journey. May God bless Prior Luke and his holy band of brothers at Saint Mary's Priory.
November 15, 2008
We just received news of the death of a dear friend of our monastery, Sr. Jeremy Hall, OSB, of St. Benedict Monastery, in St. Joseph, Minnesota. May Sr. Jeremy now enjoy the rewards of eternal life. Please pray for her and all the faithful departed. November is traditionally the month of special prayer for all the deceased.
November 13, 2008
Today is the 24th anniversary of the death of our founder, Fr. Aelred Wall. A Memorial Page is in preparation.
November 10, 2008
Yesterday evening, Br. Paul Nguyen transferred his solemn vows to Christ in the Desert. He is currently stationed in Texas and is the first monk to be living at our new domus of Thien Tham near Dallas.
Fundraising and Fellowship Events Were Held in Lubbock, TX
November 8 and 9, 2008
Three dear friends and benefactors of our monastery graciously offered to raise funds and friendships on our behalf in their hometown of Lubbock.
Fundraising and Fellowship Events in Lubbock included a Morning of Monastic Reflection, preaching at a Sunday Mass, and conducting a session for the Diaconate Formation class. At the Morning session our time included chanting portions of the Daily Office, presentations about monastic life, discussion of one's spiritual journey, and information about our flourishing community, along with ways to visit and support the Monastery.
The donations given for the morning program benefited our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat.
Celebrating New Guest House Windows
From our beginning, we at the Monastery have had a strong interest in environmental and ecological concerns. In mid October we were able to replace our old, singled-paned windows at our main Guesthouse with new energy efficient ones, thanks to a generous grant of nearly $7,000.00 from the Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe.
This help for improving the Guesthouse, which is such an important work for us and the primary source of income for the Monastery, is very much appreciated.
If you haven't visited us in a while, we welcome you to come for the day, or plan on a private retreat (two nights or longer) in our Guesthouse and rejoice with us in the beauty and warmth of our new windows!
For more information about helping us fund the improvement of our buildings, water system, or solar system, please contact Subprior Christian, our Cellarer at the Monastery.
We also invite you to visit the Catholic Foundation's website to learn more about the essential work they do throughout the Archdiocese. www.thecatholicfoundation.org.
Relic of St. Jude
St. Jude was one of the Apostles and was a brother of St. James the Less and a cousin of Jesus Christ. He ministered in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea (Edom), Mesopotamia (Iraq), and Lybia. He was martyred in Armenia. Not much else is known about his life.
Starting on October 15, The Arm Relic of St. Jude was displayed here at our abbey, as part of a "tour" of New Mexico.
This Major Relic of St. Jude Thaddeus was permanently displayed at the Shrine of St. Jude on January 28, 1999 to inaugurate the 70th Anniversary year of the Shrine. It consists of a major portion of the Saint's arm bones and is encased in a silver arm casting. The relic was brought to Turkey in the early 18th century by Armenian Dominican missionaries who were fleeing persecution in their own country. It was preserved first in Holy Rosary Church in Smyrna and then in Turin Italy. In 1949 the Turin Dominican province generously gave the relic to the Shrine of St. Jude Thaddaeus with the hope that it might be treasured by more of the faithful.
October 3, 2008
Today our postulant was received into the Noviciate. His new name in religion is Br. Bruno. When he isn't doing dishes, he helps process Thank You letters and also updates the Website.
September 17, 2008
Today Br. John Dat Nguyen will be buried. He died suddenly Sunday morning in his cell. There was a Requiem Mass for him the next day. His Funeral Mass will be held at noon today with burial right after. We put together a Memorial Page for him.