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.
ABBOT PHILIP TO RETIRE
The Right Reverend Philip J. Lawrence, OSB, the Abbot of the Monastery of Christ in the Desert, recently announced in the summer newsletter that given the required retirement of an abbot at age seventy-five coming in 2019, he has decided that he will retire on...
read moreThe Abbot’s Notebook for September 19, 2018
The Abbot’s Notebook for September 19, 2018 My sisters and brothers in Christ, Blessings to you! I am back home at Christ in the Desert after almost two weeks in Mexico. During that time I visited the Monastery of San Benito in Mexico City, the Monastery of Nuestra...
read more25th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Cycle B – 2018
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle B - 2018 FIRST READING Wisdom 2:12, 17-20 The wicked say: Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against our doings, reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with...
read moreImpressions of Italy: Blessed Maria Luisa Prosperi
It seems that almost anywhere you go in Italy, at least at shrines, monasteries and other holy sites, a saint or blessed of the Catholic Church is connected to the place in some way. A recent visit for the funeral of one of the Benedictine nuns of Santa Lucia Abbey in...
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Daily Martyrology for September 22, 2018
About 287, at Martigny in Switzerland, St. Maurice and companions, martyrs. Maurice was an officer in the Roman army who suffered martyrdom with many of his men when they refused to offer a sacrifice to the gods.In 530, St. Felix IV, pope, who was a fine administrator. He was known for his humility and concern for the poor.
In the seventh century, St. Emmeram, bishop, who was a missionary around Poitiers and in Bavaria. After his murder, his body was taken to... 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 Saturday, September 22, 2018
The road leading to the Monastery, Forest Service Road 151, is passable for all vehicles.