Our Monastery Stores in Santa Fe
If you live in Santa Fe, or are passing through, please stop by one or both of the Monastery's stores. Your purchases help support our life and work.
At the Monks' Corner, two blocks south of the historic plaza downtown, you'll find a wide variety of items to suit your needs of gift giving or collecting - sacred art, folk art, hand-made items, both useful and decorative, from monasteries and artisans in New Mexico and throughout the world. Our many `regulars' tell us our charming shop is a respite in the midst of a busy town.
The Community Thrift Store, located just off Cerrillos Road, across the street from Jackalope, has a fine selection of gently used items with regular markdowns on most items. Your donations are tax deductible, and help support the Monastery, as well as the community of Santa Fe through employment and vouchers for goods at the store for people who are in need.
The Monks' Corner: 235 Don Gaspar at Alameda, 505-982-1915
The Community Thrift Store: 1306 Clark Street, 505-473-0972
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Br. Jude Enters the Noviciate
Our new Novice received the scapular and his new name of Br. Jude last night at our evening Chapter meeting. He was born in Singapore of Vietnamese parents, and was raised in Florida. He helps out in many ways here, especially as Assistant Sacristan.
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Fundraising and Fellowship Events Were Held in Doylestown, PA
December 11 and 12, 2009
Dear friends of our monastery helped us raise funds and friendships. Events at Our Lady of Mt Carmel included a Morning of Monastic Reflection, and preaching at some of the weekend Masses. Many thanks to Kevin Sebesky, an Oblate at the Monastery and a parishioner in Doylestown for all his help for this program. Thanks, also, to Fr Charles Hagan and the parishioners for their welcome. We are grateful for the gracious donations for the morning program which will benefit our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat.
For information about sponsoring similar events in your area, please contact Sharon Colby, our Donor Relations and Event Manager, by phone (505) 771-2922 or sharonc@christdesert.org.
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Fundraising and Fellowship Events in East Brunswick, NJ
December 5 and 6, 2009
Dear friends of our monastery graciously offered to help us raise funds and friendships. Events at St Bartholomew included a Morning of Monastic Reflection, celebrating and preaching at the weekend Masses, and meeting with the Youth Group. Joyful thanks to Fr Tom, Deacon Tony, the staff and parishioners for their hospitality, and prayer and financial support to our Monastery.
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Anniversary of the Death of Our Founder
On November 13, we celebrated the 25 th anniversary of the death of
Father Aelred Wall, the founder of the Monastery of Christ in the Desert.
How grateful we monks are to Father Aelred for our monastic life. Had he not have set out from Mount Saviour Monastery to found Christ in the Desert, so many things would be different.
We cannot see how history would have changed, but most likely, without Christ in the Desert there would not have been La Soledad, Santa Maria y
Todos los Santos, Holy Cross, Thien Tam and Our Lady of the Desert. Nor
would there have been a Christ in the Desert to help Saint Benedict's Abbey
in Polokwane, Nuestra Señora del Tepeyac in Mexico City, Corpus Christi in
Chiapas and Getsemani in Chiapas.
Father Aelred's life is a clear teaching that whatever we do, we do for
the Lord. We do not serve the Lord to see results but simply because we
are here to serve the Lord.
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Monastery Concert Held at Shrine of St Bernadette in Albuquerque
November 14
Over 500 people attended the concert where a `schola', a small group of singers, from the Monastery of Christ in the Desert opened with Chants from the Mass in Honor of St Bernadette. The second half of the concert was a portion of The First Vespers of Sunday in Ordinary Time, sung in Gregorian chant in English. The schola included Abbot Philip Lawrence, Fr. Christian Leisy, Subprior, and Brothers Cademon and Anton. Abbot Philip celebrated Mass prior to the concert; and there was a reception following the concert. Additionally, Fr. Christian celebrated and preached at the Sunday Masses at St. Bernadette.
Many thanks to all those in the parish who assisted us, especially the Music and Liturgy staff, Kevin Newman and Susan Richards, and to Dan, Director of the Shrine. We are most grateful for the welcome and hospitality extended to us by Fr Tom Zotter and all the parishioners throughout the weekend festivities.
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The Opening and Blessing of Our Lady of the Desert Monastery
On Saturday, November 7, 2009, the sisters were honored by the visit of Bishop James S. Wall, of the Diocese of Gallup, who came to bless their new monastery in Gobernador, NM. The bishop arrived in the afternoon with Deacon Roger Garcia and Deacon Pat Valdez and the Knights of Columbus. At least 150 guests joined them, including most of the monks from Christ in the Desert. The Blessing ceremony took place outside, under their favorite piñon tree.
In his sermon, the Bishop spoke about how delighted he is that the new community is in the Diocese of Gallup. Mother Benedicta and Abbot Philip Lawrence also gave words of encouragement and thanked all those who attended and those who have helped build up the monastery.
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Monastic Melding of Retablo and Iconography: A Demonstration
Saturday October 17, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
When our Br. Francis Martinez was painting pieces for our monastic church, it became apparent that one of the monastic art forms, the Byzantine icon, might not be the answer for the architecture that the renowned architect, George Nakashima, utilized for the church. Instead, Br. Francis fused the character of the New Mexican retablo with the tradition of the icon.
We held an afternoon of painting demonstration and commentary with Br. Francis and Br Christian at the Artisan Art Supplies located at 2601 Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe.
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Fellowship and Fundraising Events Were Held in Anaheim, CA
October 9 - 11, 2009
Fr. Christian, our Subprior, Fr. Francisco, our Prior, and Sharon Colby, our Director of Development were at St Justin Martyr for a weekend of events and the celebration of Masses. We offered an Evening of Monastic Reflection at their Spanish mission, and a Morning of Monastic Reflection at the main church to share our vibrant monastic tradition. Additionally Fr. Francisco and Fr. Christian offered the Masses throughout the weekend. Many thanks to the pastor, Fr. Joe Robillard, the staff and all the parishioners for their warm welcome, many kindnesses, and gracious contributions through the second collection.
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New Highway Signs Highlighting the Road to the Monastery
We are very grateful to Mr Ruben Garcia and the people at the New Mexico Highway Department for placing signs on Highway 84 at the entrance to the road leading to the Monastery. There are signs as one comes from north and from the south.
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Celebration of Masses and Fundraising Were Offered in Albuquerque
October 3 - 4, 2009
Fr. Christian Leisy, OSB, Subprior of our Monastery, celebrated the weekend Masses and preached at St Joseph on the Rio Grande in Albuquerque. We thank Msgr Lambert Luna and all the parishioners for their hospitality and gracious second collection during the Masses to benefit our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat.
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Brother Bruno Made His First Vows
Please pray for our Br. Bruno who made his first vows on October 3rd here at Christ in the Desert. We had a number of guests with us for the occasion and celebrated after the Mass with a festive luncheon. Br. Bruno is forty-six years old and comes to us from Canada. He does a huge amount of work on our web site and also helps Subprior Christian as the Assistant in the Gift Shop.
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Monks Chanted in Santa Fe on September 26
Our Monks sang Gregorian chant and selections from their CDs "Monastic Chants in the High Desert" and "Sanctae Lactitiae" at our shop in Santa Fe, The Monks' Corner. It was an afternoon of glorious song.
The shop is an important source of income for the Monastery and has a lovely collection of items that include religious and folk art as well as handcrafted items from monasteries throughout the world. It is located at 235 Don Gaspar at Alameda in downtown Santa Fe. Phone (505) 982-1915.
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Celebration of Masses and Fundraising Was Offered in Ranchos de Taos
September 26-27, 2009
Fr. Francisco Alanis Rios, OSB, Prior of our Monastery, celebrated the weekend Masses and preached at San Francisco de Asis, in Rancho de Taos. We also received a second collection at the Masses to benefit our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat. Many thanks to Fr Francis Malley and the parishioners.
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Our New House in Texas Was Blessed
On Saturday, September 19th, we had the official Mass, blessing our new community for Vietnamese vocations, Thien Tam, and formally inaugurating it. Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas presided at the Mass at this new monastic house. He read a decree at the beginning of the Mass, giving formal acceptance to its foundation. At the end of the Mass a letter from the Abbot President of our Subiaco Congregation was read, congratulating Christ in the Desert and the monks at Thien Tam on this new monastic beginning. There were between 600 and 700 people present for the Mass--a clear indication of the support that this new community will have.
Currently we have six of our brothers living there, with our Fr. Dominic
Nguyen Duc Hanh as Superior. Please keep them in your prayers as they grow and develop.
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Celebration of Masses and Fundraising Offered in Albuquerque
August 29-30, 2009
Fr. Christian Leisy, OSB, Subprior of our Monastery, celebrated the weekend Masses and preached at San Felipe de Neri, on the plaza in Old Town, located at 2005 North Plaza in Albuquerque. We also received a second collection at the Masses to benefit our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat. Many thanks to Fr Dennis Garcia, the parishioners and deacons for their warm welcome and support.
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Fundraising and Fellowship Events Were Held in Lubbock, TX
August 1 and 2, 2009
Fundraising and Fellowship Events at St John Neumann Catholic Church included a Day of Monastic Reflection, celebrating and preaching at the weekend Masses, and a special program for teens throughout the diocese on vocation. We thank Fr. Jerry, his staff and all the parishioners for their participation and gracious donations at the Masses and for the retreat program to benefit our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat.
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Living the Rule of Benedict in Our Daily Lives: A Retreat
August 1-6, 2009
This retreat was for lay folks who feel the monastic pull, to call forth and nourish the bit of monk in them. Participants explored how to live this claim upon their lives in the midst of family, work, and community. The facilitators were Nancy Copeland-Payton, MD, M.Div., a retreat leader, spiritual director, author, and a Benedictine Oblate of the Monastery of St. Gertrude, and, Marie Morgan, D.Min, a spiritual director in Santa Fe who serves on the Lay Advisory Board of Christ in the Desert.
To inquire about future retreats, Contact Marie via our Online Request Form and specify: "Please put me on a mailing list to notify me of future retreats" and type in other questions you may have. Retreat Request.
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Development News from the Monastery was on Catholic Radio July 23
Following the interview with Abbot Philip held earlier in the month, Mary Woods of the Archbishop's Hour interviewed Sharon Colby, our Director of Stewardship and Development, and Gail Huslander, our new manager of the Monks' Corner Store in Santa Fe. Listeners heard about our retail stores in Santa Fe, the friend raising and fundraising events scheduled in New Mexico and across the country, our hospitality through our guest house, and even places to buy the Monastery's award winning Monk's Ale!
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Celebration of Masses and Fundraising Were Offered in Albuquerque, NM
July 18 and 19, 2009
Fr. Christian Leisy, OSB, Subprior of our Monastery, celebrated the weekend Masses at San Martin de Porres located at 8321 Camino San Martin in Albuquerque. We also received a second collection at the Masses to benefit our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat. Many thanks to the pastor, Fr. Leo Padget, and all the parishioners!
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The Death of Br. Odilon of Santa Maria Y Todos Los Santos
On July 9, we received word from Prior Miguel Laguna Ochoa of our Monastery at Teocelo, Mexico, that our Brother Odilon Hernandez Matali drowned while hiking with some family members visiting him at the monastery. He was 26 years old and made his Solemn Vows at Teocelo (Monasterio de Santa Maria y Todos los Santos) in 2007. May the angels lead Br Odilon and all the faithful departed to everlasting life!
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Our Monastery Stores in Santa Fe
If you live in Santa Fe, or are passing through, please stop by one or both of the Monastery's stores. Your purchases help support our life and work.
At the Monks' Corner, two blocks south of the historic plaza downtown, you'll find a wide variety of items to suit your needs of gift giving or collecting - sacred art, folk art, hand-made items, both useful and decorative, from monasteries and artisans in New Mexico and throughout the world. Our many `regulars' tell us our charming shop is a respite in the midst of a busy town.
The Community Thrift Store, located just off Cerrillos Road, across the street from Jackalope, has a fine selection of gently used items with regular markdowns on most items. Your donations are tax deductible, and help support the Monastery, as well as the community of Santa Fe through employment and vouchers for goods at the store for people who are in need.
The Monks' Corner: 235 Don Gaspar at Alameda, 505-982-1915
The Community Thrift Store: 1306 Clark Street, 505-473-0972
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Abbot Philip was Interviewed on Catholic Radio July 10, 2009
Abbot Philip was interviewed for the "Archbishop's Hour" on the Catholic Radio of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, NM, the day before the great feast of St. Benedict, on Friday July 10. Keep your ears open for his returning to the airwaves later in the year when Mary Woods continues her interview.
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Brother Receives His Doctoral Degree
On June 26 our Father Dominic Nguyen Duc Hanh defended his doctoral dissertation in Rome and received his doctoral degree from the Lateran University. He is the first of our younger brothers to receive a doctoral degree. Other have completed licentiates and master's degrees. The level of learning in a Benedictine monastery is important to help us serve the Lord.
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Our Many Celebrations on June 24, 2009
June 24 was a very busy day here. It was the 45th anniversary of the arrival of our founder in the state, the 44th anniversary of the founding of the monastery, and the 13th anniversary of Abbot Philip's election as Abbot. It is also the Names Day of our Br. John the Baptist.
But most importantly, it was the Solemn Profession of Br. Francis Martinez. Family and friends came from the USA, Mexico, and Peru to celebrate with him.
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Solemn Professions of Two of Our Brothers
Last Sunday, May 31, saw the Solemn Professions of our brothers Marcus Santiago and Anton Vo. These two men are wonderful life additions to our community for their talents, but most of all for their dedication to our monastic way of life.
It made for a very busy, very crowded, very joyous Pentecost Sunday, with guests from a couple American states as well as Mexico, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Many of the guests stayed for the week. We are always happy to have guests and happy to have them stay a long time. Particularly when the family of a brother comes, it is a wonderful gift for the community here.
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Inquiries About Monastic Life
Most people are aware of the slowdown of vocations to religious and priestly life in the Church today. For us at Christ in the Desert, instead of a slowdown, we have experienced a fairly steady growth over the past years and are able to help in other monastic communities and to assist in establishing new ones. At present the Abbot is in correspondence with some 16 men who are interested in our life. They won't all enter here. Those who do enter will not all stay. But we never lack serious vocations for our community. And we continue to grow.
At present there are 44 monks in solemn vows to Christ in the Desert and 8 in first vows. Twenty-seven of the monks in solemn vows reside at Christ in the Desert; the others are at our dependent monasteries.
La Soledad Monastery, near San Miguel de Allende in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico, began as the hermitage of our founder, Father Aelred Wall, and then after his death in 1984, it became a community in 1987. Santa Maria Monastery, near Xalapa in Veracruz, Mexico, began in 1995. Holy Cross in Chicago began in 1988 and was adopted by Christ in the Desert in 1997 in order for it to become a Benedictine monastery canonically. All these monasteries are attracting good vocations to the Benedictine way of life.
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Rejoicing in Our 'New' Truck
A dear friend of the Monastery has graciously given us a used Dodge truck in excellent condition for general use on our property. Our vehicles are in service nearly every day of the year as we engage in our work. We are most grateful for this help!
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Welcoming Our Brothers Home
This is the time of year when brothers start returning from various studies and other projects. We should see our population begin to increase in the next couple of weeks. Brother PauLavang, Brother Gerard and Brother Lawrence will all be returning from school. Brother André is coming home from South Africa to spend some time here when it is winter there! Brother Andrew returned this past week from almost a year of raising money for our new community of THIEN TAM. Brother Thomas-Benedict should be returning from a time of exclaustration. There is always a joy in welcoming the brothers home again.
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Celebration of Masses and Fundraising Were Offered in Albuquerque, NM
May 23 and 24, 2009
Fr. Francisco Alanis Rios, OSB, Prior of our Monastery, celebrated the weekend Masses at Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our thanks to the pastor, Fr. Joe Vigil, and all the parishioners for their gracious donations at the Masses which will benefit our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat.
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Seeking Spanish Book Donations for a New Monastery
We have been asked to help obtain books for the library of a recently founded Spanish-speaking monastery of Carmelite nuns in southern New Mexico. If you can donate Christian and Catholic classics, spirituality, biblical studies, Church history books, etc., in Spanish, please mail them to: Subprior Christian Leisy, OSB, Monastery of Christ in the Desert, P.O. Box 270, Abiquiu, NM, 87510-0270. We will see that the books are delivered to the nuns. Thank you for this help.
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Celebration of Masses and Fundraising Were Held in Taos, NM
May 9 - 10, 2009
Fr. Francisco Alanis Rios, OSB, Prior of our Monastery, celebrated the weekend Masses at Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Taos, including Taos Pueblo. We also received a second collection at the Masses to benefit our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat. Many thanks to the pastor, Fr. Larry Brito, and all the parishioners!
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Celebration of Mass and Fundraising Were Held in the Kansas City Area
May 2 and 3, 2009
Brother Christian Leisy, OSB, celebrated the weekend Masses at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawnee, KS. We also received a second collection at the Masses to benefit our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat. Many thanks to the pastor, Fr. Craig Maxim, and all the parishioners!
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Fundraising and Fellowship Events Were Held in Yorktown Heights (suburban NYC) March 28 - 29, 2009
Dear friends of our monastery helped us to cultivate friendships and raise funds in Yorktown Heights at St. Patrick Catholic Church to support projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat. Events included a Morning of Monastic Reflection, as well as celebrating and preaching at the weekend Masses. Many thanks to the pastor, Fr. Joe Bisignano, Deacon Greg, and all the parishioners!
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Fundraising and Fellowship Events Were at St Elizabeth's in Lubbock, TX
February 28 - March 1, 2009
Dear friends and benefactors of our monastery helped us to cultivate friendships and raise funds in Lubbock to support projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat. Events included a Morning of Monastic Reflection, celebrating and preaching at masses, and a lively evening with the parish Youth Group. Many thanks to the pastor, Fr. O'Connor, the Dir of Youth Ministry, Tricia Rowan, the parishioners, and all who helped us prepare for and conduct all the activities!
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Our Solar Batteries Are Giving Out
posted 2/9/09
We have learned we must replace the 96 batteries which store much of the power to run the monastery. We are over 13 miles from the nearest power line, and bringing in commercial electricity would have been tremendously expensive. Instead, we use energy from the desert sun to generate our electricity on-site. Solar arrays gather energy throughout the day and store it in batteries. The batteries then provide power to the monastery 24 hours a day for all of the monks' rooms, (45+), our church, main library, meeting room, corridors, infirmary rooms, craft room, recreation room, reading room, and the three guest rooms in the Ranch House. We are completely off the 'grid' and are the largest privately owned solar-power system in New Mexico.
Would you like to help us with this critical need? Please contact Br. Christian Leisy at monkchristian@gmail.com.
See our website links to learn more about our environmentally sustainable systems. Sustainable Systems
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Fundraising and Fellowship Events were held in Houston, TX
January 17 - 25, 2009
Dear friends and benefactors of our monastery helped us to cultivate friendships and raise funds in Houston to support projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat. Events included a Morning of Monastic Reflection, and celebrating and preaching at masses at both St Anne, and at All Saints Catholic churches. Many thanks to all those at both parishes who helped us prepare for and conduct all the activities of that wonderful weekend, and to those who participated!
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Blessings from a Benefactor
posted 1/7/09
We monks truly rely on the Lord to open people's minds and hearts to us, and to send us all that we need, either directly or through others. Last week, at the close of the year, we received a large financial gift. It was the intention of the donor, who died a couple years ago, that we would be able to pay off a good portion of our debt. We rejoice that, thanks to generosity of the donor, we were able to pay off almost $1,000,000 worth of debt. What a wonderful Christmas gift!
If you live in Santa Fe, or are passing through, please stop by one or both of the Monastery's stores. Your purchases help support our life and work.
At the Monks' Corner, two blocks south of the historic plaza downtown, you'll find a wide variety of items to suit your needs of gift giving or collecting - sacred art, folk art, hand-made items, both useful and decorative, from monasteries and artisans in New Mexico and throughout the world. Our many `regulars' tell us our charming shop is a respite in the midst of a busy town.
The Community Thrift Store, located just off Cerrillos Road, across the street from Jackalope, has a fine selection of gently used items with regular markdowns on most items. Your donations are tax deductible, and help support the Monastery, as well as the community of Santa Fe through employment and vouchers for goods at the store for people who are in need.
The Monks' Corner: 235 Don Gaspar at Alameda, 505-982-1915
The Community Thrift Store: 1306 Clark Street, 505-473-0972
Br. Jude Enters the Noviciate
Our new Novice received the scapular and his new name of Br. Jude last night at our evening Chapter meeting. He was born in Singapore of Vietnamese parents, and was raised in Florida. He helps out in many ways here, especially as Assistant Sacristan.
Fundraising and Fellowship Events Were Held in Doylestown, PA
December 11 and 12, 2009
Dear friends of our monastery helped us raise funds and friendships. Events at Our Lady of Mt Carmel included a Morning of Monastic Reflection, and preaching at some of the weekend Masses. Many thanks to Kevin Sebesky, an Oblate at the Monastery and a parishioner in Doylestown for all his help for this program. Thanks, also, to Fr Charles Hagan and the parishioners for their welcome. We are grateful for the gracious donations for the morning program which will benefit our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat.
For information about sponsoring similar events in your area, please contact Sharon Colby, our Donor Relations and Event Manager, by phone (505) 771-2922 or sharonc@christdesert.org.
Fundraising and Fellowship Events in East Brunswick, NJ
December 5 and 6, 2009
Dear friends of our monastery graciously offered to help us raise funds and friendships. Events at St Bartholomew included a Morning of Monastic Reflection, celebrating and preaching at the weekend Masses, and meeting with the Youth Group. Joyful thanks to Fr Tom, Deacon Tony, the staff and parishioners for their hospitality, and prayer and financial support to our Monastery.
Anniversary of the Death of Our Founder
On November 13, we celebrated the 25 th anniversary of the death of
Father Aelred Wall, the founder of the Monastery of Christ in the Desert.
How grateful we monks are to Father Aelred for our monastic life. Had he not have set out from Mount Saviour Monastery to found Christ in the Desert, so many things would be different.
We cannot see how history would have changed, but most likely, without Christ in the Desert there would not have been La Soledad, Santa Maria y
Todos los Santos, Holy Cross, Thien Tam and Our Lady of the Desert. Nor
would there have been a Christ in the Desert to help Saint Benedict's Abbey
in Polokwane, Nuestra Señora del Tepeyac in Mexico City, Corpus Christi in
Chiapas and Getsemani in Chiapas.
Father Aelred's life is a clear teaching that whatever we do, we do for
the Lord. We do not serve the Lord to see results but simply because we
are here to serve the Lord.
Monastery Concert Held at Shrine of St Bernadette in Albuquerque
November 14
Over 500 people attended the concert where a `schola', a small group of singers, from the Monastery of Christ in the Desert opened with Chants from the Mass in Honor of St Bernadette. The second half of the concert was a portion of The First Vespers of Sunday in Ordinary Time, sung in Gregorian chant in English. The schola included Abbot Philip Lawrence, Fr. Christian Leisy, Subprior, and Brothers Cademon and Anton. Abbot Philip celebrated Mass prior to the concert; and there was a reception following the concert. Additionally, Fr. Christian celebrated and preached at the Sunday Masses at St. Bernadette.
Many thanks to all those in the parish who assisted us, especially the Music and Liturgy staff, Kevin Newman and Susan Richards, and to Dan, Director of the Shrine. We are most grateful for the welcome and hospitality extended to us by Fr Tom Zotter and all the parishioners throughout the weekend festivities.
The Opening and Blessing of Our Lady of the Desert Monastery
On Saturday, November 7, 2009, the sisters were honored by the visit of Bishop James S. Wall, of the Diocese of Gallup, who came to bless their new monastery in Gobernador, NM. The bishop arrived in the afternoon with Deacon Roger Garcia and Deacon Pat Valdez and the Knights of Columbus. At least 150 guests joined them, including most of the monks from Christ in the Desert. The Blessing ceremony took place outside, under their favorite piñon tree.
In his sermon, the Bishop spoke about how delighted he is that the new community is in the Diocese of Gallup. Mother Benedicta and Abbot Philip Lawrence also gave words of encouragement and thanked all those who attended and those who have helped build up the monastery.
Monastic Melding of Retablo and Iconography: A Demonstration
Saturday October 17, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
When our Br. Francis Martinez was painting pieces for our monastic church, it became apparent that one of the monastic art forms, the Byzantine icon, might not be the answer for the architecture that the renowned architect, George Nakashima, utilized for the church. Instead, Br. Francis fused the character of the New Mexican retablo with the tradition of the icon.
We held an afternoon of painting demonstration and commentary with Br. Francis and Br Christian at the Artisan Art Supplies located at 2601 Cerrillos Road in Santa Fe.
Fellowship and Fundraising Events Were Held in Anaheim, CA
October 9 - 11, 2009
Fr. Christian, our Subprior, Fr. Francisco, our Prior, and Sharon Colby, our Director of Development were at St Justin Martyr for a weekend of events and the celebration of Masses. We offered an Evening of Monastic Reflection at their Spanish mission, and a Morning of Monastic Reflection at the main church to share our vibrant monastic tradition. Additionally Fr. Francisco and Fr. Christian offered the Masses throughout the weekend. Many thanks to the pastor, Fr. Joe Robillard, the staff and all the parishioners for their warm welcome, many kindnesses, and gracious contributions through the second collection.
New Highway Signs Highlighting the Road to the Monastery
We are very grateful to Mr Ruben Garcia and the people at the New Mexico Highway Department for placing signs on Highway 84 at the entrance to the road leading to the Monastery. There are signs as one comes from north and from the south.
Celebration of Masses and Fundraising Were Offered in Albuquerque
October 3 - 4, 2009
Fr. Christian Leisy, OSB, Subprior of our Monastery, celebrated the weekend Masses and preached at St Joseph on the Rio Grande in Albuquerque. We thank Msgr Lambert Luna and all the parishioners for their hospitality and gracious second collection during the Masses to benefit our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat.
Brother Bruno Made His First Vows
Please pray for our Br. Bruno who made his first vows on October 3rd here at Christ in the Desert. We had a number of guests with us for the occasion and celebrated after the Mass with a festive luncheon. Br. Bruno is forty-six years old and comes to us from Canada. He does a huge amount of work on our web site and also helps Subprior Christian as the Assistant in the Gift Shop.
Monks Chanted in Santa Fe on September 26
Our Monks sang Gregorian chant and selections from their CDs "Monastic Chants in the High Desert" and "Sanctae Lactitiae" at our shop in Santa Fe, The Monks' Corner. It was an afternoon of glorious song.
The shop is an important source of income for the Monastery and has a lovely collection of items that include religious and folk art as well as handcrafted items from monasteries throughout the world. It is located at 235 Don Gaspar at Alameda in downtown Santa Fe. Phone (505) 982-1915.
Celebration of Masses and Fundraising Was Offered in Ranchos de Taos
September 26-27, 2009
Fr. Francisco Alanis Rios, OSB, Prior of our Monastery, celebrated the weekend Masses and preached at San Francisco de Asis, in Rancho de Taos. We also received a second collection at the Masses to benefit our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat. Many thanks to Fr Francis Malley and the parishioners.
Our New House in Texas Was Blessed
On Saturday, September 19th, we had the official Mass, blessing our new community for Vietnamese vocations, Thien Tam, and formally inaugurating it. Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas presided at the Mass at this new monastic house. He read a decree at the beginning of the Mass, giving formal acceptance to its foundation. At the end of the Mass a letter from the Abbot President of our Subiaco Congregation was read, congratulating Christ in the Desert and the monks at Thien Tam on this new monastic beginning. There were between 600 and 700 people present for the Mass--a clear indication of the support that this new community will have.
Currently we have six of our brothers living there, with our Fr. Dominic
Nguyen Duc Hanh as Superior. Please keep them in your prayers as they grow and develop.
Celebration of Masses and Fundraising Offered in Albuquerque
August 29-30, 2009
Fr. Christian Leisy, OSB, Subprior of our Monastery, celebrated the weekend Masses and preached at San Felipe de Neri, on the plaza in Old Town, located at 2005 North Plaza in Albuquerque. We also received a second collection at the Masses to benefit our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat. Many thanks to Fr Dennis Garcia, the parishioners and deacons for their warm welcome and support.
Fundraising and Fellowship Events Were Held in Lubbock, TX
August 1 and 2, 2009
Fundraising and Fellowship Events at St John Neumann Catholic Church included a Day of Monastic Reflection, celebrating and preaching at the weekend Masses, and a special program for teens throughout the diocese on vocation. We thank Fr. Jerry, his staff and all the parishioners for their participation and gracious donations at the Masses and for the retreat program to benefit our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat.
Living the Rule of Benedict in Our Daily Lives: A Retreat
August 1-6, 2009
This retreat was for lay folks who feel the monastic pull, to call forth and nourish the bit of monk in them. Participants explored how to live this claim upon their lives in the midst of family, work, and community. The facilitators were Nancy Copeland-Payton, MD, M.Div., a retreat leader, spiritual director, author, and a Benedictine Oblate of the Monastery of St. Gertrude, and, Marie Morgan, D.Min, a spiritual director in Santa Fe who serves on the Lay Advisory Board of Christ in the Desert.
To inquire about future retreats, Contact Marie via our Online Request Form and specify: "Please put me on a mailing list to notify me of future retreats" and type in other questions you may have. Retreat Request.
Development News from the Monastery was on Catholic Radio July 23
Following the interview with Abbot Philip held earlier in the month, Mary Woods of the Archbishop's Hour interviewed Sharon Colby, our Director of Stewardship and Development, and Gail Huslander, our new manager of the Monks' Corner Store in Santa Fe. Listeners heard about our retail stores in Santa Fe, the friend raising and fundraising events scheduled in New Mexico and across the country, our hospitality through our guest house, and even places to buy the Monastery's award winning Monk's Ale!
Celebration of Masses and Fundraising Were Offered in Albuquerque, NM
July 18 and 19, 2009
Fr. Christian Leisy, OSB, Subprior of our Monastery, celebrated the weekend Masses at San Martin de Porres located at 8321 Camino San Martin in Albuquerque. We also received a second collection at the Masses to benefit our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat. Many thanks to the pastor, Fr. Leo Padget, and all the parishioners!
The Death of Br. Odilon of Santa Maria Y Todos Los Santos
On July 9, we received word from Prior Miguel Laguna Ochoa of our Monastery at Teocelo, Mexico, that our Brother Odilon Hernandez Matali drowned while hiking with some family members visiting him at the monastery. He was 26 years old and made his Solemn Vows at Teocelo (Monasterio de Santa Maria y Todos los Santos) in 2007. May the angels lead Br Odilon and all the faithful departed to everlasting life!
Our Monastery Stores in Santa Fe
If you live in Santa Fe, or are passing through, please stop by one or both of the Monastery's stores. Your purchases help support our life and work.
At the Monks' Corner, two blocks south of the historic plaza downtown, you'll find a wide variety of items to suit your needs of gift giving or collecting - sacred art, folk art, hand-made items, both useful and decorative, from monasteries and artisans in New Mexico and throughout the world. Our many `regulars' tell us our charming shop is a respite in the midst of a busy town.
The Community Thrift Store, located just off Cerrillos Road, across the street from Jackalope, has a fine selection of gently used items with regular markdowns on most items. Your donations are tax deductible, and help support the Monastery, as well as the community of Santa Fe through employment and vouchers for goods at the store for people who are in need.
The Monks' Corner: 235 Don Gaspar at Alameda, 505-982-1915
The Community Thrift Store: 1306 Clark Street, 505-473-0972
Abbot Philip was Interviewed on Catholic Radio July 10, 2009
Abbot Philip was interviewed for the "Archbishop's Hour" on the Catholic Radio of the Archdiocese of Santa Fe, NM, the day before the great feast of St. Benedict, on Friday July 10. Keep your ears open for his returning to the airwaves later in the year when Mary Woods continues her interview.
Brother Receives His Doctoral Degree
On June 26 our Father Dominic Nguyen Duc Hanh defended his doctoral dissertation in Rome and received his doctoral degree from the Lateran University. He is the first of our younger brothers to receive a doctoral degree. Other have completed licentiates and master's degrees. The level of learning in a Benedictine monastery is important to help us serve the Lord.
Our Many Celebrations on June 24, 2009
June 24 was a very busy day here. It was the 45th anniversary of the arrival of our founder in the state, the 44th anniversary of the founding of the monastery, and the 13th anniversary of Abbot Philip's election as Abbot. It is also the Names Day of our Br. John the Baptist.
But most importantly, it was the Solemn Profession of Br. Francis Martinez. Family and friends came from the USA, Mexico, and Peru to celebrate with him.
Solemn Professions of Two of Our Brothers
Last Sunday, May 31, saw the Solemn Professions of our brothers Marcus Santiago and Anton Vo. These two men are wonderful life additions to our community for their talents, but most of all for their dedication to our monastic way of life.
It made for a very busy, very crowded, very joyous Pentecost Sunday, with guests from a couple American states as well as Mexico, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Many of the guests stayed for the week. We are always happy to have guests and happy to have them stay a long time. Particularly when the family of a brother comes, it is a wonderful gift for the community here.
Inquiries About Monastic Life
Most people are aware of the slowdown of vocations to religious and priestly life in the Church today. For us at Christ in the Desert, instead of a slowdown, we have experienced a fairly steady growth over the past years and are able to help in other monastic communities and to assist in establishing new ones. At present the Abbot is in correspondence with some 16 men who are interested in our life. They won't all enter here. Those who do enter will not all stay. But we never lack serious vocations for our community. And we continue to grow.
At present there are 44 monks in solemn vows to Christ in the Desert and 8 in first vows. Twenty-seven of the monks in solemn vows reside at Christ in the Desert; the others are at our dependent monasteries.
La Soledad Monastery, near San Miguel de Allende in the State of Guanajuato, Mexico, began as the hermitage of our founder, Father Aelred Wall, and then after his death in 1984, it became a community in 1987. Santa Maria Monastery, near Xalapa in Veracruz, Mexico, began in 1995. Holy Cross in Chicago began in 1988 and was adopted by Christ in the Desert in 1997 in order for it to become a Benedictine monastery canonically. All these monasteries are attracting good vocations to the Benedictine way of life.
Rejoicing in Our 'New' Truck
A dear friend of the Monastery has graciously given us a used Dodge truck in excellent condition for general use on our property. Our vehicles are in service nearly every day of the year as we engage in our work. We are most grateful for this help!
Welcoming Our Brothers Home
This is the time of year when brothers start returning from various studies and other projects. We should see our population begin to increase in the next couple of weeks. Brother PauLavang, Brother Gerard and Brother Lawrence will all be returning from school. Brother André is coming home from South Africa to spend some time here when it is winter there! Brother Andrew returned this past week from almost a year of raising money for our new community of THIEN TAM. Brother Thomas-Benedict should be returning from a time of exclaustration. There is always a joy in welcoming the brothers home again.
Celebration of Masses and Fundraising Were Offered in Albuquerque, NM
May 23 and 24, 2009
Fr. Francisco Alanis Rios, OSB, Prior of our Monastery, celebrated the weekend Masses at Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our thanks to the pastor, Fr. Joe Vigil, and all the parishioners for their gracious donations at the Masses which will benefit our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat.
Seeking Spanish Book Donations for a New Monastery
We have been asked to help obtain books for the library of a recently founded Spanish-speaking monastery of Carmelite nuns in southern New Mexico. If you can donate Christian and Catholic classics, spirituality, biblical studies, Church history books, etc., in Spanish, please mail them to: Subprior Christian Leisy, OSB, Monastery of Christ in the Desert, P.O. Box 270, Abiquiu, NM, 87510-0270. We will see that the books are delivered to the nuns. Thank you for this help.
Celebration of Masses and Fundraising Were Held in Taos, NM
May 9 - 10, 2009
Fr. Francisco Alanis Rios, OSB, Prior of our Monastery, celebrated the weekend Masses at Our Lady of Guadalupe, in Taos, including Taos Pueblo. We also received a second collection at the Masses to benefit our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat. Many thanks to the pastor, Fr. Larry Brito, and all the parishioners!
Celebration of Mass and Fundraising Were Held in the Kansas City Area
May 2 and 3, 2009
Brother Christian Leisy, OSB, celebrated the weekend Masses at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Shawnee, KS. We also received a second collection at the Masses to benefit our projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat. Many thanks to the pastor, Fr. Craig Maxim, and all the parishioners!
Fundraising and Fellowship Events Were Held in Yorktown Heights (suburban NYC) March 28 - 29, 2009
Dear friends of our monastery helped us to cultivate friendships and raise funds in Yorktown Heights at St. Patrick Catholic Church to support projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat. Events included a Morning of Monastic Reflection, as well as celebrating and preaching at the weekend Masses. Many thanks to the pastor, Fr. Joe Bisignano, Deacon Greg, and all the parishioners!
Fundraising and Fellowship Events Were at St Elizabeth's in Lubbock, TX
February 28 - March 1, 2009
Dear friends and benefactors of our monastery helped us to cultivate friendships and raise funds in Lubbock to support projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat. Events included a Morning of Monastic Reflection, celebrating and preaching at masses, and a lively evening with the parish Youth Group. Many thanks to the pastor, Fr. O'Connor, the Dir of Youth Ministry, Tricia Rowan, the parishioners, and all who helped us prepare for and conduct all the activities!
Our Solar Batteries Are Giving Out
posted 2/9/09
We have learned we must replace the 96 batteries which store much of the power to run the monastery. We are over 13 miles from the nearest power line, and bringing in commercial electricity would have been tremendously expensive. Instead, we use energy from the desert sun to generate our electricity on-site. Solar arrays gather energy throughout the day and store it in batteries. The batteries then provide power to the monastery 24 hours a day for all of the monks' rooms, (45+), our church, main library, meeting room, corridors, infirmary rooms, craft room, recreation room, reading room, and the three guest rooms in the Ranch House. We are completely off the 'grid' and are the largest privately owned solar-power system in New Mexico.
Would you like to help us with this critical need? Please contact Br. Christian Leisy at monkchristian@gmail.com.
See our website links to learn more about our environmentally sustainable systems. Sustainable Systems
Fundraising and Fellowship Events were held in Houston, TX
January 17 - 25, 2009
Dear friends and benefactors of our monastery helped us to cultivate friendships and raise funds in Houston to support projects at the Monastery for environmentally sustainable water, solar power, and heat. Events included a Morning of Monastic Reflection, and celebrating and preaching at masses at both St Anne, and at All Saints Catholic churches. Many thanks to all those at both parishes who helped us prepare for and conduct all the activities of that wonderful weekend, and to those who participated!
Blessings from a Benefactor
posted 1/7/09
We monks truly rely on the Lord to open people's minds and hearts to us, and to send us all that we need, either directly or through others. Last week, at the close of the year, we received a large financial gift. It was the intention of the donor, who died a couple years ago, that we would be able to pay off a good portion of our debt. We rejoice that, thanks to generosity of the donor, we were able to pay off almost $1,000,000 worth of debt. What a wonderful Christmas gift!