Abbot's Archives

"Through the spirit of the fear of the Lord, you ponder on the fact that you possess and desire nothing that is not given to you by God, but in faith, trust and thankfulness you ascribe to divine compassion whatever you know or are or can be." Medieval monk...

"Through the spirit of piety you set a limit with pious consideration on what the work is to be, and for whom, as well as on the time, the amount and the quality of work; and, lest the vice of greed or cupidity should steal in, on the amount of recompense." Medieval...

Our flock of several dozen hens (and one rooster), continues to keep us entertained as well as supplied with about two dozen eggs each day. As the days are now growing shorter, each evening the chickens return more quickly to their coop, which is dedicated to Saint...

"Through the spirit of knowledge that is given to you, you are the master by virtue of your practical knowledge and you use in public the perfect abundance of your abounding heart with the confidence of a full mind." Twelfth century monk Theophilus on "The Seven Gifts...

"Through the spirit of fortitude you shake off all the apathy of sloth, and whatever you commence with quick enthusiasm you carry through to completion with full vigor." 12th century Theophilus the monk, "On the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit"

"Through the spirit of counsel you do not hide away the talent given to you by God, but, working and teaching openly and with humility, you faithfully reveal it to those who desire to learn." Medieval monk Theophilus, on "The Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit"

On September 6th, the annual Feast of Our Lady of Solitude (La Soledad), Brother Santiago made his first profession of vows as a Benedictine monk at the Monastery of La Soledad, in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, and near the city of San Miguel de Allende. La Soledad...

Each Spring we always plant the Easter lilies from church as they begin to lose their flowers. As today's photograph testifies, the lilies are beginning to bloom in our cloister garden and will soon be used for arrangements to be placed in front of the icon of Our...

Today's photograph is a view of a garden in our cloister, dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The garden is located along an outdoor flagstone path leading to our church from the monks' residence building. As such, our visitors don't see the garden, a little oasis,...

With the gradual approach of winter, though we hope still some weeks away, we have begun our annual purchase of locally-grown baled hay for our livestock, being our flock of twenty Navajo-Churro sheep, one guard-donkey and three horses. Though we have good...

Under Brother Martin's watchful care, pictured below, our poultry flock is flourishing. The chickens have a very large field in which to eat, exercise and take dirt baths for some twelve hours per day. Every chicken should be so lucky! In any case, ours are as happy...

Early this summer a friend of ours from Chama, New Mexico, gave us three tiny heirloom calabacita (squash) plants. They were planted in our cloister garden, where we have a variety of flowers, but the vegetable seem to fit right in. Not yet ready for harvest, the...

The soil is being prepared in our soon-to-be-planted fruit orchard, another exciting chapter in our agricultural endeavors. Next month we will get the trees, which should bear fruit within two years. They will join our existing "lonesome apple" already in the space...

Our August 2021 Raffle was a success and the winners for the drawing are as follows: 10 prizes of $500 each: J.O. of Allen, TX J.G. of Seminole, TX N.P. of Pinole, CA N.V. of Sarasota, FL L.N. of Jersey Village, TX P.H. of Houston, TX T.V. of Garland, TX E. E. of...

A large section of Highway 84, running from Abiquiu to Chama, has recently been resurfaced. Forest Service Road 151, our "driveway," though, remains a dirt and gravel road. Day visitors to the Monastery are welcome daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Sunday Mass is at 9:15...

Sometimes hummingbirds fly into our church through the large front door, usually open all summer during the day. The little bird photographed here could not find the way out and eventually landed on the floor of the church. Two monks rescued the bird and got it...

There's sweetness in an apple tree, And profit in the corn; But lady of all beauty Is a rose upon a thorn. Christina Rossetti