The Burning Bush Gift Program

The symbol of our Monastery, the Burning Bush, was chosen by our founder, Father Aelred Wall, as an image of the desert. It is taken from the book of Exodus 3.2 where Moses encounters the living God. Within the image is the cross of Christ - revealing `Christ in the Desert'.

Share your love throughout the year by giving a gift that reminds your family, friends and associates that every place is holy and it is possible to meet God where you stand. As the story reminds us, gifts of meaning cannot be consumed; they can be experienced only in love.

Consider selecting one or more of the following gifts to offer to those on your list for birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, baptisms, and any celebration. In doing so, you also share your love to benefit the life of the Monastery.

We will send you, or your recipient, a beautiful card handcrafted by the monks to acknowledge your gift.

Here's How It Works:
1. Review the list below for gift ideas.
2. At the bottom of the list are highlighted links that correspond to the gift ideas. Click to select your gift(s). There are instructions on each page to walk you through the ordering process.
3. After you select your gift(s), you will be connected to our ordering page where you will type in your information. If you would like the acknowledgment card sent to you, put in your address in the "Ship To" section; if you want it sent to the recipient, put in their address in the "Ship To" section.
4. Continue following the prompts on each page to complete your order.
5. If you experience difficulties and need assistance, please email Br. Bruno at webservant@christdesert.org
6. Your gifts will be processed promptly. It will take about one week to receive your acknowledgment card.

Gift Ideas
Environmental Sustainability
Transporting our recyclable materials to the center, 50 miles away
$75 for a month ~~~ $900 for the year
Upgrading our solar power system to support necessary expansion
$100 for a share of the project ~~~ $130,000 for this long term project
Completing the upgrade of our water system
$100 for a share of the project ~~~ $100,000 for this long term project

Guest Hospitality
Maintaining and expanding our meditation gardens and grounds
$50 for a share of the project ~~~ $5,000 for this long term project
Building accessible ramp and pathway to the church from the parking lot
$45 for a share of the project ~~~ $45,000 for this long term project
Repairing, insulating and re-stuccoing the exterior walls of the Guest House
$75 for a share ~~~ $75,000 for this long term project

Worship and Community
Providing altar flowers, candles and incense for the church
$75 for a week ~~~ $3,900 for the year
Supporting the growth of the community through the monks' annual retreat
$1,200 stipend for the Retreat Director from outside the community

Education of a Monk
Maintaining and expanding Monastery Library
$25 for a book ~~~ $500 for a month of expenses
Studying at a university
$25 for a book ~~~ $10,000 tuition for the year

Family Connections
Assisting the widowed mother of a monk with food and housing
$11 for a day ~~~ $78 for a week ~~~ $1,000 for three months
Visiting the family, once every two years, for each monk
$800 for those families in the USA, Canada, and Mexico ~~~ $2,500 for those families abroad

Design Your Own Gift
Customize the purpose and the amount you would like to spend. Use the above areas, or, for additional ideas, please see the link to "Current Monastery Needs" on the left column of this page.

For questions about any of our long-range capital improvement projects, including those listed above, please contact Subprior Christian Leisy, OSB at monkchristian@gmail.com

Links to Purchase Your Gifts