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.
New Novices!
Brother Boniface, Brother Ignatius, Abbot Philip, Brother Jerome, Brother Chrysostom and Prior Fr. Benedict...
read moreThe Abbot’s Notebook for April 18, 2018
The Abbot's Notebook for April 18, 2018 My sisters and brothers in Christ, Blessings to you! Christ is risen! Alleluia! One of the challenges of serving a community is to know that when I am about to leave for a trip, there will be no time for myself because so...
read more4th Sunday of Easter-Cycle B-2018
4th Sunday of Easter-Cycle B-2018 FIRST READING Acts of the Apostles 4:8-12 Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said: “Leaders of the people and elders: If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he...
read moreImpressions of Rome: Confraternities
An important dimension of Catholic Church life in Italy over the past several centuries has been the presence and work of Confraternities. A Confraternity is a group, usually composed of both men and women, though sometimes of only men or only women, who in cities,...
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Daily Martyrology for April 20, 2018
In the French Alps, in 374, the burial of St. Marcellinus of Embrun, bishop. He was an African missionary who was appointed bishop of Embrun by Eusebius of Vercelli.About 930, Blessed Hugh of Anzy, who was an associate of Blessed Berno (May 11) in the reform of the Abbey of Baume and the founding of Cluny. He was appointed prior of Anzy-le-Duc where he preached against paganism and built a hospital.
In 1317, St. Agnes of Montepulciano. She joined the Sisters of... 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 Friday, April 20, 2018
The road leading to the Monastery, Forest Service Road 151,is passable for all vehicles. There may be rain showers occasionally today but not enough to matter.