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.
Health & Safety
On March 13, 2020, Archbishop John Wester announced the closing of public liturgical services throughout the Archdiocese of Santa Fe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Consequently, the Monastery is closing all retreat reservations, the giftshop, and the public celebration of liturgical Offices and Mass until further notice.
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.
Explore the Monastery
We warmly invite you to explore a photo gallery that shows where we live and how we go about our monastic life.
Abbot’s Notes, Homilies, and News
We invite you to subscribe to our newsletters to receive homilies and news directly via email.
October 20th: Quote For the Day From Abbot Christian
"Let us stand and sing in such a way that our mind is in harmony with our voice." Rule of Saint Benedict, +547, chapter 19, "On the Proper Manner of Singing the Psalms."
Monastery of Christ in the Desert Video Project: Our Horses
Abbot Christian discuses the history of the equestrian program at the Monastery. The fifth installment of our video series. It is sent with our love and prayers for all our family, friends and benefactors. Link to our Video on YouTube
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A
Scripture Readings: Prophet Isaiah 45:1, 4-6; First Thessalonians 1:1-5a; Gospel According to Matthew 22:15-22 In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus is recognized as a teacher and is asked to give an official opinion on a controversial matter regarding the “poll-tax” as it...
Abbot’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...
Daily Martyrology for October 19, 2020
In Canada, Sts. Isaac Jogues, John de Brebeuf, four other Jesuit missionaries, and two missionary helpers. Amid great hardships, they did missionary work among the Huron Indians. They were murdered by hostile Iroquois between 1642 and 1649.In Oxford, in 779, St. Frideswide. She was abbess of a double monastery, which was located on the present day site of Christ Church. The town grew up around her monastery.
In Spain, in 1562, St. Peter of Alcántara, He... 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 8 PM Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2020.
The Monastery is currently closed to guests due to COVID-19 pandemic precautions.