Monastery News

Over the past weeks we have received so many inquiries, encouragements, and prayers from you all our many friends, benefactors and donors. Again, we thank you for your concern, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rest assured, we are well. We continue with the Liturgy of the Hours and daily Conventual Mass. We unceasingly pray for your needs and intentions.  We take the necessary precautions. Trips into town are limited to those that are mission critical to the monastery:  for food and supplies, for extreme emergencies regarding health and medication, and for vehicle maintenance. At present, an oblate who is a Nurse Practitioner talks to us daily about the corona virus and steps that we must take to prevent its spread. Monks dutifully wash their hands, cough into their habit sleeves, and check themselves for temperatures and other respiratory disorders.  We have also begun praying before daily Adoration the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ COVID-19 Prayer to Our Lady of Guadalupe and A Prayer of Solidarity.  

We trust in God and look to the saints, such as St John Chrysostom, for words of strength during these trying times:

“Considering therefore all these things, that misfortunes were greater for him [Job], and that when the conflict was more grievous, then he stripped for the contest; let us bear all that comes upon us nobly, and with much thankfulness, in order that we may be able to obtain the same crown as he, by the grace and loving kindness of Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom be glory to the Father together with the Holy Spirit, now and always and for ever and ever. Amen” (Three Homilies on the Devil, St John Chrysostom).  

May your Guardian Angels protect and keep you, and may our Holy Mother Mary embrace us under her Protecting Veil.  Lord, have mercy.

Photo by Abbot Christian.

COVID-19 Pandemic Closure

March 20, 2020

Statement from the Monastery of Christ in the Desert with regard to the COVID-19 Corona Virus

On March 13, 2020, Archbishop John Wester announced the closing of public liturgical services throughout the Archdiocese of Santa Fe due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Monastery in full solidarity with the Archbishop has chosen to take the following steps

The Guesthouse is closed until further notice.

The Monastery Giftshop will remain closed.

Public celebration of liturgical Offices and Mass are suspended.

The current health crisis which is affecting the whole world is of course distressing. Despite that fact, as believers in the power of God’s saving action, we are called to place all our trust in God and at the same do whatever we can to stop the spread of disease, however inconvenient that may be to us personally, as a nation or as a Church. We also offer prayers for all who are suffering with the virus, as well as the medical personnel who are working to assist those in need. May God give healing to the sick, comfort to those who have or are facing the loss of loved ones, eternal life to those who have died, and protection to those who are knowingly or unknowingly exposed to the virus. May the All-Holy Mother of God, the Blessed Virgin Mary, intercede on behalf of all, that we may be cautious but at peace, placing before the Lord all our fears, concerns, hopes and sorrows.

Abbot Christian and the monks of Christ in the Desert

March 6, 2020

This morning our confrere DOM MANUEL GONZALES AGUILERA, O.S.B. of the Monastery of Santa Maria y Todos Los Santos died. D Manuel was 75 years old and in his 23^nd year of monastic profession when the Lord called him. Santa Maria y Todos Los Santos is a dependent monastery of Christ in the Desert, located in the state of Veracruz, Mexico.

D Manuel was among the first novices of Santa Maria y Todos Los Santos and did his novitiate here at Christ in the Desert. He aspired to the eremitical life and was a faithful and edifying monk.

May the Angels lead D Manuel into Paradise.

Abbot Christian

On Sunday, February 2nd, Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple, our Dom Joseph Kuchta Chylinski made his solemn vows, becoming a permanent member of our monastery. The day was beautiful in every way and temperatures in the low 50s.
Ad multos annos, Dom Joseph!