On the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, the monastic community of the Abbey of Christ in the Desert elected Dom Christian Leisy as our new Abbot. He succeeds Rt. Rev. Philip Lawrence, who had served as superior of Christ in the Desert for 42 years. Presiding over the election was the Rt. Rev. Guillermo Leon Arboleda Tamayo, Abbot President of the international Subiaco Cassinese Congregation of Benedictine Monks – to which Congregation Christ in the Desert belongs. After the election Abbot President Guillermo installed Abbot Christian as Abbot of this monastery, placing around his neck the cross which is the symbol of the Office of Abbot. Abbot Christian has been a monk of Christ in the Desert since 1977 and originally hails from Oregon. Retiring Abbot Philip said: “I know that Abbot Christian will be a superlative superior of our community!” Abbot Christian solicits the prayers of all of the friends of Christ in the Desert that he may serve humbly and well as shepherd of the community.