The Monastery of Christ in the Desert
Our Benedictine monastic community near Abiquiu, New Mexico, warmly welcomes you to our Abbey on the banks of the Chama River.
Be our Guest
We welcome both day visitors and overnight guests for self-directed retreats. We celebrate mass daily, and invite you to pray with us.
Support Us
This monastic community is possible only by the generous support of friends like you. While the Monastery is an officially recognized Roman Catholic organization, it does not receive any direct financial support from the Church.
Visit our Gift Shop
We sell statuettes, plaques, boxes, and CDs of our chants. 100% of the proceeds support our monks and upkeep of the abbey.
Abbot’s Notes, Homilies, and News
We invite you to subscribe to our newsletters to receive homilies and news directly via email.
Two New Novices
We received two new novices into our community on Wednesday evening, March 20th. They are Brothers Charbel Gomez and Benedetto Reinte, pictured here with Abbot Christian. Please keep these brothers in your prayers and be assured of their prayers as...
read moreA Lenten Meditation
Once upon a time a father gave his little son some chewing gum, and the son took it but said nothing. “What do you say when you are given something good?” asked the father. “I want more,” replied the child. That is an understandable enough reaction of a little...
read more3rd Sunday of Lent, Cycle C–2019
3rd Sunday of Lent, Cycle C--2019 FIRST READING Exodus 3:1-8a, 13-15 Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian. Leading the flock across the desert, he came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There an angel of the Lord appeared to...
read moreAbbot’s Notebook
“Our Monk in Rome” is now “Our Abbot in Abiquiu,” or something like that. There will no longer be new postings on the “Our Monk in Rome” page, but please proceed to the “Abbot’s Notebook” page for my news and views. At least to begin with, there might not be a weekly...
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Daily Martyrology for March 21, 2019
At Monte Cassino, the death of St. Benedict, abbot and patron of Europe. The first mention of a feast of St. Benedict on this day is in the martyrology of St. Bede the Venerable, written around 730. There are several explanations why Bede chose this date. He may have derived it from St. Benet Biscop, the founder of Bede’s monastery at Jarrow, who had visited Monte Cassino. Alternatively, Bede may have chosen this day because it was the vernal equinox, and the date was later adopted at... read morePrayer and Chant
Learn more about the Monastic Day or review our Daily Prayer Schedule.
Prayer Requests and Mass Intentions
We are glad to include your requests for prayer in our daily chanting of the psalms. Mass intentions (including the delivery of a Mass card) may be requested for small stipend.
Our Chanting
We have recordings of our chants available on CD and MP3.
Ave Maria
Daily Prayer and Mass Schedule
All are welcome to join us at daily worship. Click here for our daily prayer schedule which begins at 4:00am and ends at 7:30pm.
Current Road Conditions
Updated at 5:00 am Thursday, March 21, 2019.
The road leading to the Monastery, Forest Service Road 151, is passable for all vehicles.