May 20th: Spring in Full Swing
Our houseplants, always indoors for the colder months, are outside once again. Nighttime temperatures are at present around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, so there is no longer danger that the plants might freeze. On a less happy note, the drought in the great Southwest...May 14th: Irises Begin to Bloom
In our cloister quadrangle garden, surrounded by our living quarters, the early-blooming daffodils and tulips have run their course and now irises are appearing, soon to be followed by peonies and roses. The flowers we enjoy throughout the Spring and Summer never...Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year C
Readings: Acts of the Apostles 14:21-27; Revelation 21:1-5; John13:31-35 An essential part of being a follower of Jesus Christ is a willingness to love. How many times have we heard with our ears and our hearts the words in today’s Gospel passage, “I give you a new...May 9th: Chewy and the Chickens
In our little corner of the Peaceable Kingdom, the feathered and woolen creatures get along very well. And that includes Matty the donkey as well. In fact, she is a bit of the center of activity, at least for the sheep. The poultry tend to be more independent-minded....May 4th: Easter Greetings
The solemn celebration of Easter continues here in the quiet of the Chama Canyon Wilderness. We are now in the Third Week of the Easter Season, which extends until Pentecost Sunday on June 5th, when Paschaltide (the Easter Season) comes to an end. After Easter comes...Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year C
Scripture Readings: Acts of the Apostles 13:14, 43-52; Book of Revelation 7:9, 14-17; Gospel According to Saint John 10:27-30 Our Lord Jesus Christ, during his earthly ministry, knew very well how to speak to the people about his person and his mission, using simple...April 30th: Desert Beauty
In the midst of Desert beauty we marvel at the wonders of God’s creation. In this high desert setting of 6,500 feet above sea level, we enjoy four fairly distinct seasons. Each has its own chacteristics, and typically brothers prefer one over another. For some,...April 27th: More Flowering Trees
White and pink are the predominant colors of the trees now in bloom in our cloister garden. This dramatic sweep of God’s paintbrush is always short-lived, but worth the wait and wonderful to behold each Spring. The six trees in the cloister are not...April 26th: Spring in Full Force
New life in the form of flowers and trees coming into bloom just now add to the joyful mood of the Easter Season we are celebrating. Some recent winds and continued dry weather are not so welcome, and we continue to pray for rain. Our cloister garden stays green, but...April 24th: Easter Octave
Christ is Risen! He is Truly Risen! We are still basking in the light of the Risen Lord, with the cry of “Alleluia” ringing in our hearts and with our voices. The Liturgy we celebrate in common is filled with the Hebrew word for “Praise be...Second Sunday of Easter, Year C
Scripture Readings: Acts of the Apostles 5:12-16; Revelation 1:9-11;12-13;17-19; Gospel According to Saint John 20:19-31 We continue our celebration of the Passover of Christ whose resurrection from the dead is the cause of our joy. This Sunday’s Gospel shows us...April 21st: Easter Octave
We continue our solemn celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord with Easter chants, incense, the Paschal Candle aglow, bells and many “Alleluias.” Christ in Risen! He is Truly Risen! Alleluia! All of our families, friends, benefactors and oblates are in...Spring Raffle Winners!
On Easter Sunday we had our Spring Raffle drawing, and the winners, from around the country are as follows. Eight prizes of $500 each: 1. E.S. of Albuquerque, NM. ticket # 1158 2. J.P. of Houston, TX ticket # 1403 3. D.R. of Santa Fe, NM ...April 18th: Easter Week
Today’s photo was taken by Prior Bonaventure, during our usual 4:00 am Easter Sunday Vigil Mass. About twenty-five guests and visitors joined the monastic community for the Vigil Mass, composed of the outdoor blessing of the Easter Fire, listening to Old and New...Easter Sunday 2022
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen! With our greetings and prayers on this “Festival of Festivals”! May the Risen Christ be our joy and hope! We are grateful beyond words for our families, friends, neighbors and benefactors. May the Lord reward all those...Easter Sunday
The great message ringing out during this holiest of days is contained in the words of the angel at the empty tomb, heard at the Gospel account according to Saint Matthew: “Do not be afraid, I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not...Holy Thursday
Each Holy Thursday the Church recounts the evening when Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with his closest disciples. At that meal Jesus inaugurated the Passover of the New Covenant, when the supreme sacrifice would be offered for the salvation of the human race, by...Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, Year C
Readings: Book of the Prophet Isaiah 50:4-7; Letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians 2:6-11; Gospel According to Saint Luke 22:14-23:56 Palm Sunday Mass normally begins outside the church building with a recounting of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. After...Holy Week Liturgies at the Monastery
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, Mass at 9:15 am Holy Thursday Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, Mass at 5:00 pm Good Friday Liturgy at 3:30 pm Easter Sunday, Vigil Mass at 4:00 am Easter Sunday, Day Mass at 11:00 amApril 4th: Monastic Churches of Mexico
Today’s entry is a series of photos of several churches of Benedictine monasteries of monks and nuns in Mexico. Mexico is often called “devout and beautiful,” and the monastic oratories there reflect that phrase. Abbot Christian and the...Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year C
Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11 The Gospel account this Sunday is partly a study in contrasts. That is, we see the great disproportion that exists between the infinite mercy of God and the very human quick-to-condemn approach of many with...April 2nd: Chiaroscuro Image
A beautiful image of Saint Benedict in his “Holy Cave” (Sacro Speco) at Subiaco, Italy, graces the monastic chapel of the Benedictine nuns of the Monastery of “Our Lady of Tepeyac” at Coyoacan in Mexico City. Chiaroscuro is defined as the use...March 31st: Mexico Monastery Arches
Today’s photos was taken at “Monasterio San Benito” in Mexico City, home to Benedictine Sisters since 1945. They live quiet lives of prayer and hospitality in the midst of a bustling city and not far from the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Here...March 29th: Saint Mary and All The Saints
The Benedictine Monastery of Santa Maria y Todos Los Santos is located in the State of Veracruz, Mexico, about four hours south and east of Mexico City. There are twelve monks in the community, coming from various parts of Mexico. Like La Soledad, Santa Maria is a...
"Let everyone that comes be received as Christ."
— The Rule of St. Benedict
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