Abbot's Archives

Saint Bonaventure, the great medieval Franciscan theologian and Doctor of the Church, wrote a treatise on the journey to God, saying that we learn the ways of God by examining the world, and we proceed to awareness of the truth of God in and through our minds. The...

The opening words of Psalm 42 (41 in the Greek Septuagint numbering) are: "As a deer longs for flowing streams, so longs my soul for you, O God." This refrain seems to be a favorite of many who regularly pray the Psalms. We monks chant Psalm 42 every Monday morning at...

They're not on wheels, nor prefabricated, but our meals are made with care and prayer by our monks on a daily basis. One cook on weekdays and two on Sundays and Solemnities create an array of simple but nourishing meals for our monastic community and the guests who...

We are reveling in the reality of the arrival of snow in the great Southwest. At long last some serious precipitation is occurring and it is good news in the face of ongoing drought conditions in this part of the globe. What is coming our way is presumably fallout...

Winter brings its own demands and one of them is keeping our livestock fed and in good health. At present we have and care for four horses, twenty sheep, one donkey, forty-five chickens and a host of bees. Among four monks the animals are kept fed, watered and...

Our twice-annual fundraising raffle drawing, under the direction of our Brother Jude, took place this past Sunday, January 8th, 2023. The eight winners, each receiving $500, are as follows: M.G. -- Austin, TX D.Q. -- Espanola, NM T.G. -- Albuquerque, NM B.T. --...

We have reached the twelfth day of Christmas, when the Church traditionally celebrates the Epiphany (that is, Manifestation) of the Lord to all the nations. See our "Homily Page" on our website for more details about this great feast. Many parts of the world now...

Thus far, winter has been fairly mild in the Chama Canyon Wilderness where the Monastery is located. Of late, though, we have gotten some precipitation in the form of snow, as illustrated into today's photo, a view from across the Chama River. We have had freezing...

With the passing of the Winter Solstice, egg production by our flock of hens has increased exponentially, from just a few eggs per day to nearly two dozen. We and our guests enjoy our "homegrown" eggs, either hard boiled or scrambled. Speak of guests, we have closed...

On Christmas day this year, Prior Dominic Nguyen, OSB, of Thien Tam (Heavenly Heart) Monastery in Kerens, Texas, died at the age of 53. He had struggled with poor health in recent weeks and died peacefully at Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas. Born in Vietnam on...

To all our families, friends, benefactors and oblates, a very Blessed and Merry Christmas. Be assured of our prayers and please keep us in yours. Thank you. Don't forget: there are twelve days of Christmas! Keep celebrating. Gratefully in the New-Born King of the...

Saturday, December 24th: Mass at Midnight Sunday, December 25th: Mass at 11:00 am May we all prepare well, quietly and peacefully, for the commemoration of the Birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Be assured of our prayers and please keep us in yours. Thank you. Abbot...

After more than twenty years of "wear and tear", a number of our roofs are being replaced at this time. The extremes of cold and heat add to the stress on New Mexico roofs, and it's a miracle the roofs have lasted this long In any case, because of the roof work...