Monastery News

A blessed and happy Eastertide to all our families, friends, benefactors and oblates. We keep you in our prayers and are grateful for yours.

Today’s photo is from the beautiful mission church of San Antonio, Los Ojos, New Mexico, a little over an hour from our Monastery.

Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!

Abbot Christian and the monks

April 19th, Holy Saturday, no day Mass, but Solemn Vigils and Mass of the Lord’s Resurrection at 12 Midnight

April 20th, Easter Sunday Day Mass at 11:00 am

We are now half way through Lent and continue to experience the progressive arrival of Spring in our Chama Canyon wilderness. The Eastern Christian tradition refers to this annual preparation for Holy Week and Easter as the “Lenten Spring.” Keep in mind the word “Lent” is related to the word “lengthen” and of course “Spring” is clearly the season of the appearance of new life in nature, at least in the Northern Hemisphere.

May this time of increased prayer, fasting and doing good to others encourage us all along the path of drawing closer to the source of our life and happiness, God alone.

With assurance of our prayers and please keep us in yours. Thank you.

Abbot Christian and the monks

The century-old stained glass windows in the mission church of San Jose in Los Ojos, New Mexico, about an hour from our Monastery, cannot but inspire those with gaze upon them. Each of the windows is some ten or more feet tall and marvelously calls to mind particular events in the life of Christ. Today’s photo depicts today’s Solemnity of the Annunciation to Mary, that she is to be the Mother of Jesus.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church suns up well the mystery and joy of this feast:

“The Virgin Mary most perfectly embodies the obedience of faith. By faith Mary welcomes the tidings and promise brought by the angel Gabriel, believing that ‘with God nothing will be impossible’ (Luke 1:37) and so giving her ascent: ‘Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word’ (Luke 1:38).

A blessed celebration of the Annunciation of the Lord!

Abbot Christian and the monks

Spring has officially begun and flowers are beginning to appear in our cloister garden. We await some weeks for the fuller blooming that will bring many and varied flowers to our gardens.

We are now in the planning stages for Spring planting in our large greenhouse, where vegetables and other eatables will be growing over the coming months, including corn, which if grown outdoors gets consumed by the deer. However, outdoors near the greenhouse we will cultivate onions, potatoes and squash, plants that the deer don’t seem to bother.

Forest Service Road 151 leading to the Monastery is now completely graded, making for fairly smooth sailing for travelers. However, we always remind monks and guests to exercise caution when traversing the road, as there are likely other travelers going in the opposite or the same direction.

We are now nearing the middle of Lent, culminating in Holy Week and Easter Sunday on April 20th this year, less than a month away.

Be assured of our prayers for your needs and intentions and please keep us in yours prayers. Thank you. Blessed continuation of Lent

Abbot Christian and the monks

Having had a dryer than normal Winter 2024-25, we were happy to have gotten recently some consecutive nighttime snowfalls of an inch or two. Each time the snow was completely melted by midday, but it provided at least some moisture to our land. Sometimes we even say that snow is our version of Spring rains!

We are now having gusty winds, which of course dries the land even more. Warmer temperatures are also part of the mix, so we are definitely in transition from Winter to Spring.

We are getting a steady number of guests making private retreats now, and as mentioned before, we are limiting the number of retreatants to ten at a time, to enhance the contemplative experience of the those on retreat and to balance the workload of the monks. So far, so good, it seems to be. Day visitors and pilgrims are also appearing as well with the warmer weather.

On March 19th we celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Foster-father of Jesus and husband of the Virgin Mary. He is a special patron of the home, family life and a happy death. May he intercede for us all.

Abbot Christian and the monks

Spring cannot be too far off, with the return of robins to our cloister courtyard and the days growing longer and warmer.

Indoors, the orchid in today’s photo is nearly in full bloom and will remain so for the next few months.

The liturgical color of Lent is purple or violet (note again the orchid and stained glass cross in today’s photo). Purple, considered a more “somber” or “serious” hue, reflects the mood of the Lenten season leading up to Easter, which includes the traditional practices of extra prayer, fasting and almsgiving.

While considered a “penitential season,” Lent also includes some very festive celebrations this month.

On March 19th the Church keeps the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, the Foster-father of Jesus and the husband of Mary. On March 21st we observe the “transitus,” or passing, of our Holy Father Saint Benedict. On March 25th we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation, commemorating the moment of the conception of Jesus in the womb of the Virgin Mary.

Each of these feast days will have us singing the festive “Gloria in excelsis Deo” at Mass, normally not sung during Lent. Meals on the three feasts will also have special menus, a notch or two up from normal Lenten fare.

With this comes our greetings and prayers, hoping you are having a blessed Lent. Please keep us in your prayers. Thank you.

Abbot Christian and the monks

Although we occasionally make and enjoy pumpkin bread here, we don’t sell it. However, we do know a source of excellent pumpkin bread for sale, coming straight from Hollywood, California! See today’s photo and the contact information below, and give Carlos a call or go online to place your order.

The product freezes well, remains moist when thawed, so order more than one at a time. Satisfaction guaranteed, at least that is the endorsement of us monks at Christ in the Desert.

If you don’t want to indulge during Lent, then stockpile the bread until Paschaltide, beginning with Easter Sunday on April 20^th this year.

After some intermittent rain and snow in the Chama Canyon, which was very welcome, we are back to blue skies and rising temperatures. Forest Service Road 151, leading to the Monastery, is dry and currently be graded to make it a smoother track than usual.

We are now in the first full week of Lent and our lectio divina this season is focused on the Scripture readings for Mass each day. We also are using the daily meditations on the Mass readings by Poor Clare Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C. in her book, “A Time of Renewal,” published by Ignatius Press and available from Amazon. We highly recommend the book, as well as the pumpkin bread mentioned above!

For pumpkin bread, phone in an order at: 323-466-4098. Website: www.monasterygoodies.com

Be assured of prayers and thank you for yours.

Abbot Christian and the monks

Several times each week two of our monks prepare and bake bread for the monks and guests on retreat to enjoy. One brother prepares the “no-kneading crusty bread,” and another bakes the loaves in our new trusty Southbend Convection Oven.

As a means to enhance the retreat experience of our guests, and to balance the workload of the monastic community, we now limit the number of guests on retreat here to ten persons at a time.

Making reservations on our website may look like there are “empty rooms” that could be occupied, but in fact the system cuts off the number of reservations possible at ten occupants at a time, so even though there are in fact empty rooms, we have reached the limit for any given day.

Some potential guests have phoned us asking about the reservation process, but here is an explanation until we can also have it posted on our website.

Winter isn’t quite over yet, and we are getting intermittent snow today. Moisture in any form is most welcome, so we are glad to see some snow falling today.

The holy season of Lent is only hours away. See our “Homily Page” for a reflection on this important liturgical season soon to be starting.

We keep you in our prayers and are grateful for yours.

Abbot Christian and the monks

The blooming of the abbot’s orchid, featured in today’s photo, holds hope of the coming of Spring.

Daytime temperatures here are now reaching near 60 degrees, though nights are in the low 40s. Clearly the earth is awakening from slumber as the days are lengthening.

This calls to mind that our word “Lent” comes from the same root as our words “length” and “lengthening.” Hence, a fitting word for the holy season beginning on Ash Wednesday this week. Of course, the reference to longer days works for the Northern Hemisphere, but not the Southern, as the days there are now becoming shorter!

In nearly every modern language the season of Lent is referred to in reference to its lasting 40 days: “Quaresima” (Italian), “Cuaresma” (Spanish), “Careme”  (French), etc. In any case, Lent is quickly approaching, providing another opportunity to draw nearer to the Lord in our daily lives.

Lent concludes with the celebration of Easter on April 20th, hopefully when Spring will be in full swing.

May the Lord grant us all a fruitful Lent this year, one that yields a truly joyful Eastertide!

Be assured of our prayers and please keep us in yours. Thank you.

Abbot Christian and the monks

We are grateful for having received some snow both the nights of February 13th and 14th. The snow tends to melt rather quickly after sunrise, as the earth is beginning to warm up. In any case, even minimal moisture is very welcome at this time. A mixture of snow and rain continues to fall today and we are grateful for that as well. Anything to reduce the risk of forest fires is vital to our landscape.

Our Giftshop Manager, Brother Isidore, has been busy stocking the shop with religious classics and new books, vintage religious statues and other items, Monastery Baked Goods (from Indiana!), monastic crafts from our own monks, and more, as we anticipate the arrival of guests and visitors in the coming weeks and months. The shop is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, though closed from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. Sunday hours are 10:30 am to 3:30 pm.

Not to be missed in the Giftshop is the beautiful Lego model of Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral, assembled by one of our monks and a sight to behold! We have only two in stock. Their appearance in our shop coincides with the recovery and reopening of Notre Dame last year.

In the midst of desert beauty, we send our greetings and assurance of prayers. Please keep us in your prayers. Thank you.

Abbot Christian and the monks

Three saints are especially remembered on February 14th each year, whose heavenly intercession we seek.

The first saint, popular in both religious and secular realms, is Saint Valentine, a valiant Roman martyr who died for his faith around the year 270 A.D. First imprisoned for his Christian faith, it is said he would send notes to fellow Christians from his prison cell, hence the possible origin of exchanging “Valentine cards” on this day, especially with loved ones. We can presume his notes from prison would have been signed, “Your Valentine.” Does that ring a bell? Why are chocolates also so associated with this day? Maybe because the gift of sweets is always appropriate to loved ones.

The two other saints of February 14th are blood brothers of the 9th century, Cyril and Methodius, who evangelized the Slavic people, especially in the present-day Czech Republic. Cyril was a bishop and Methodius a monk, both models of missionary work, like Saint Valentine as well. Cyril and Methodius were not martyrs, but faithful Christians until their deaths nonetheless. Both are now patron saints of Europe, along with Saint Benedict.

Today’s photo of homemade bread from our monastery kitchen includes two loaves unintentionally resembling hearts, the quintessential symbol of Valentine’s Day!

To all, a blessed day dedicated to Saints Valentine, Cyril and Methodius. May their example inspire us and their prayers assist us on our pilgrim path.

Abbot Christian and the monks

Despite predictions and promises from forecasters, we’ve yet to see snow or rain in the Chama Canyon, but we keep hoping and praying for a reversal of fortune. We have been having gusty winds of late, which acts to dry up the land even more. It is by no means a “dustbowl” situation in these parts, but we’d welcome the arrival of moisture in any form at this time.

On another note, from our monastery kitchen, we’ve returned to baking our “daily bread” once again. One brother now almost daily prepares the loaves and another does the baking in our new convection ovens. The results have been well received by all, monks and guests on retreat alike.

While we long for precipitation, the return of warmer weather has been most welcome. Some pipes that had frozen on our property during the colder than usual January are now thawed or repaired, which is a relief.

Brothers are staying healthy, thanks be to God, with no flu or even colds this winter, for which we are grateful. We continue our daily round of prayer in church and in private, Mass each morning, as well as reading, work and rest. We keep all our families, friends and benefactors in our prayers. We appreciate your prayers as well.

Abbot Christian and the monks

To those on retreat here and day visitors, we monks might seem like “carefree creatures,” who simply file into and out of church and refectory throughout the day, and not doing much else in between.

Behind the scenes, though, we all have jobs, some with more than one job in fact, requiring some hours of attention each day, including bookkeeping, cleaning, cooking, laundry, thank you letters to benefactors and tending to Mass requests, maintenance, handicrafts, running the Giftshop, caring for our flocks of sheep, chickens and our guard donkey, and the list goes on.

The unofficial Benedictine motto is “ora et labora,” pray and work. Both are important part of a balanced day “in the midst of desert beauty,” where we “live and move and have our being,” a phrase from the Acts of the Apostles (chapter 17, verse 28).

While no one is exempt from prayer or work, we carefully take into consideration age, abilities and health, striving for moderation, a important Benedictine trait, and not military precision that might expel those who “can’t keep up” with everyone else.

The warmer weather we are now experiencing is welcome, and while it’s not yet Spring, it can’t be that far off. If only we could be graced with rain or snow as well, to help the dry land of the great Southwest.

We keep you in our prayers and count on yours. Blessed week now in progress.

Abbot Christian and the monks

Each year on February 10th, Benedictines around the world recount the memory of Saint Scholastica, the sister of Saint Benedict. They both lived from about 480 to 547 AD, natives of Nursia (present day Norcia), in the Umbrian region of Italy, north of Rome. Some posit that Benedict and Scholastica were twins, but there is no evidence to prove that they were.

What we know of Saint Scholastica and her brother Benedict we learn from the “Book of Dialogues” of Pope Saint Gregory the Great, who lived from about 540 to 604 AD., who was also a monk, and whose name is closely associated with what we call (and still sing!), namely, Gregorian chant.

In Pope Gregory’s “Life and Miracles of Saint Benedict,” we learn that the saintly siblings, Benedict and Scholastica, were both consecrated to God in the monastic state, and met each year not far from their respective monasteries at Montecassino, for a time of prayer and musing on the mysteries of life and death.

At what was to be their final colloquium, when Benedict deemed they should conclude their time together that evening, Scholastica “protested” by bowing her head and praying to the Lord. In response to her prayer, a torrential rainfall ensued, making it impossible for Benedict, Scholastica and their monastic companions to return to their respective monasteries that night.

Scholastica must have had a premonition that her death was near, for she died just three days after the meeting, and was buried at Benedict’s monastery of Montecassino, in a tomb intended by Benedict for himself. Pilgrims can still visit the burial places of the two saints at the Abbey of  Montecassino, beneath the main church.

Today’s photo is of a fresco from the later Middle Ages at the “Holy Cave” of Saint Benedict at Subiaco, where he lived his first years as a monk. The fresco shows Scholastica praying, Benedict’s concern, and the monk to his right looking skyward at the impending storm.

The charming, whimsical and memorable sibling “holy” rivalry has captured the imagination of many over the centuries, and is the centerpiece of a consideration of Saint Scholastica’s power of prayer in the face of her brother’s protestation.

We especially greet and pray for all Benedictine nuns and sisters, as well a women oblates of Saint Benedict, on the Feastday of Saint Scholastica.

Abbot Christian and the monks

While over the past weeks we have been experiencing some near record-breaking cold weather, this week we are seeing temperatures climbing into the 60s, near record-breaking as well for this time of year.

We often experience “false Springs,” as they are sometimes called, so we’re certainly not convinced that Winter is over quite yet, but presumably the coldest time is past.

Like many parts of the nation, we are still suffering from a dearth of moisture, for which we eagerly await.

Aside from that, we are well, enjoying Ordinary Time once again, with the next liturgical season of Great Lent beginning with Ash Wednesday on March 5th.

We assure you of our prayers and we are grateful for yours.

Abbot Christian and the monks

We are praying for snow or rain, and there is a chance of it appearing soon, so say the forecasters. For this reason, in anticipation, we post a photo of “silence made visible,” as the Swiss philosopher Max Picard (1888-1965) described snow in his book, “World of Silence.”

Today’s photo is of our cloister garden, the area where the monks have their rooms, (called “cells”!).  The photo is of some time ago, when it actually snowed! Hope springs eternal, as they say, and we trust the Lord will send some moisture sooner or later. Ran or snow would be most welcome.

The cold snap we and much of the nation has been experiencing lately has now subsided, for which we are grateful, and while January is never “warm” here, at least it is not so cold. Day time temperatures have been reaching to nearly 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and at dawn hovering around freezing.

Be assured of our prayers and please keep us in yours. Thank you for your support and care.

Abbot Christian and the monks

We are blessed with some excellent cooks and bakers among the brothers. One such example is found in today’s photo, apple pies for this Sunday, January 19th.

The pies will be enjoyed at the Sunday evening meal, when the monks gather for a less formal supper, which includes talking and enjoying one another’s company. In monastic parlance, it’s called “recreation.”

Our other gatherings for meals throughout the week are in silence. The weekday midday meal includes listening to a portion of Sacred Scripture (the Bible), as well as the Rule of Saint Benedict and the lives of the saints. A book or article of interest is also part of what is called “table reading” during meals. Breakfast and supper are always simply taken in silence.

Our recently installed convection ovens are functioning very well and much appreciated by the cooks. They can count on more accurate temperatures and cooking times, features that make the task of cooking a little easier.

Be assured of our daily prayers for the needs and intentions of our families, friends, benefactors and oblates. Please pray for us. Thank you.

Abbot Christian and the monks

Our Founder and first Prior, Father Aelred Wall, OSB, who lived from 1917 to 1984, was a strong proponent of combining simplicity and beauty. He used to say, “simplicity does not have to be ugly.”

The principle of “keeping things simple,” yet also beautiful, is evident in many of the architectural features at Christ in the Desert, especially the monastery church, designed by architect and woodworker George Nakashima (1905-1990), known for the “noble simplicity” of his work, and who was a friend of Father Aelred Wall.

Today’s photo shows an inside corridor on the way to our church from the cloister, where our living quarters are. Though built two decades after Father Aelred’s death, the hallway intends to model the style promoted by our Founder, and as an expression of the Benedictine monastic spirit in the 21st century. There is also a distinctive “New Mexico style” that our buildings inside and out reflect.

Winter remains mild, with no measurable precipitation, so we continue to pray for rain or snow. With the abundance of sunshine, our solar-powered system for all our electrical needs is running smoothly and well. Nonetheless, we’d appreciate some less-than-sunny days, carrying clouds, rain and snow.

Be assured of our prayers and please keep us in yours. Thank you.

Abbot Christian and the monks

Often we’re asked about the many one-of-a-kind vintage items in our Giftshop. We are blessed with a source that is on the lookout for such items, and they tend to sell quickly in our shop.

Sometimes we’re asked if we have more of a particular statue or crucifix, for example, but usually our reply that the item is indeed “one-of-a-kind,” from decades back, and that we only have one.

Today’s photo is of a charming 12 inch tall ceramic “Our Lady of the Roses,” made in Italy nearly a century ago, and recently placed for sale in our Giftshop. Both Our Lady and the Christ Child hold a bouquet of roses.

All this is to say: visit our Giftshop when you can, to find a wide variety of vintage statues and other religious goods, including rosaries, cards, handicrafts by our monks, as well as an assortment of excellent spiritual books, both classics and from more recent times.

The winter remains dry, which means the thirteen mile long “Forest Service Road 151” leading to the Monastery (off of Highway 84, the road to Chama, New Mexico), remains dry and passable, even in this month often associated with rain or snow. We try to post a daily road-condition report on our website.

As we return to “Ordinary Time” in the Church Calendar, beginning on Monday, January 13^th, we continue to pray for the needs and intentions of all our families, friends, benefactors and oblates. Please pray for us. Thank you.

Abbot Christian and the monks