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.
Adventures of Thumper and Benny
On April 16, 2018, Abbot Philip left for Mexico early in the morning. One of the brothers took Rosco, Thumper and Benny for a walk, but did not use a leash. As soon as Thumper and Benny got outside the cloister they disappeared. Brothers looked for Thumper and Benny...
read moreThe Abbot’s Notebook for June 13, 2018
The Abbot’s Notebook for June 13, 2018 My sisters and brothers in Christ, Blessings to you! It has been a quiet week in the community. In the past couple of weeks we have received a 21 year old postulant from Malawi, bring the number of Malawians in the community to...
read more11th Sunday of Ordinary Time-Cycle B-2018
11th Sunday of Ordinary Time-Cycle B-2018 FIRST READING Ezekiel 17:22-24 Thus says the Lord GOD: I, too, will take from the crest of the cedar, from its topmost branches tear off a tender shoot, and plant it on a high and lofty mountain; on the mountain...
read moreImpressions of Italy: Rivotorto
Officially known as the “Santuario Francescano di Rivotorto,” the Franciscan Shrine of Rivotorto is very close to the city of Assisi and like Assisi, is another important place in Franciscan history. The Rivotorto shrine lies in the plane beneath Monte Subasio on...
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Daily Martyrology for June 18, 2018
About 431, St. Amandus of Bordeaux, bishop. St. Paulinus of Nola (June 22) was instructed in Christianity by Amandus. Paulinus tells us that Amandus was raised a Christian, was well instructed in the Scriptures, and lived an exemplary life.In 1165, St. Elizabeth of Schönau. She went to the Benedictine monastery of Schönau when she was twelve. Eleven years later, coping with a bout of depression, she had the first of many visionary experiences. Like Hildegard of Bingen... read more
Prayer 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 on Monday, June 18, 2018
The road leading to the Monastery, Forest Service Road 151, is dry and passable for all vehicles.