The Monastery of Christ in the Desert
Our Benedictine monastic community near Abiquiu, New Mexico, warmly welcomes you to our Abbey on the banks of the Chama River.
Be our Guest
We welcome both day visitors and overnight guests for self-directed retreats. We celebrate mass daily, and invite you to pray with us.
Support Us
This monastic community is possible only by the generous support of friends like you. While the Monastery is an officially recognized Roman Catholic organization, it does not receive any direct financial support from the Church.
Visit our Gift Shop
We sell statuettes, plaques, boxes, and CDs of our chants. 100% of the proceeds support our monks and upkeep of the abbey.
Abbot’s Notes, Homilies, and News
We invite you to subscribe to our newsletters to receive homilies and news directly via email.
Brothers in Formation
A recent photo of our brothers in formation, that is, postulants, novices and junior professed, with our Novice Master, Fr. Benedict. Some of the brothers in formation were not present for this photo. We are blessed by the presence of these men, discerning the call to... read moreThe Abbot’s Notebook for July 13, 2016
The Abbot’s Notebook for July 13, 2016 Blessings to you! The weather here has continued to be very hot, hovering during the day just about 100° Fahrenheit (about 38° Celsius), but always dropping at night to a cool mid-60s (about 18° Celsius). We have gone as... read more16th Sunday of Ordinary Time-Cycle C-2016
16th Sunday of Ordinary Time-Cycle C-2016 FIRST READING Genesis 18:1-10a The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre, as he sat in the entrance of his tent, while the day was growing hot. Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby. When he... read moreSixteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year C, July17, 2016
Readings: Book of Genesis 18:1-10; Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians 1:24-28; Gospel According to Saint Luke 10:38-42 Both the first reading and the Gospel for Mass this Sunday are centered on what sometimes is called “the ministry of hospitality,” a spiritual... read more
Daily Martyrology for July 17, 2016
At Milan, around 400, St. Marcellina. She was older sister and advisor of St. Ambrose. She vowed virginity before Pope Liberius, and St. Ambrose dedicated his treatise on virginity to her.In 855, at Rome, St. Leo IV, pope. A monk of the monastery of San Martino, near St. Peter’s in Rome, he was elected pope when the Saracens were threatening Rome. He strengthened the defenses of the city by building the Leonine wall and organized a fleet that defeated the Saracens in a... read more
Prayer and Chant
Learn more about the Monastic Day or review our Daily Prayer Schedule.
Prayer Requests and Mass Intentions
We are glad to include your requests for prayer in our daily chanting of the psalms. Mass intentions (including the delivery of a Mass card) may be requested for small stipend.
Our Chanting
We have recordings of our chants available on CD and MP3.
Ave Maria
Daily Prayer and Mass Schedule
All are welcome to join us at daily worship. Click here for our daily prayer schedule which begins at 4:00am and ends at 7:30pm.
Current Road Conditions
Updated at 5:30 am on Sunday, July 17, 2016
The road leading to the Monastery (Forest Service Road 151) is dry and passable for all vehicles.
Please always remember that if it is actually raining while you are on the road with a two wheel drive vehicle, you should probably stop and wait for the rain to stop and then wait for a half hour or so for the road to dry. When it is actually raining the road becomes quite slick but will dry sufficiently in a short time.
SUNDAY MASS IS AT 9:10 AM ALL ARE WELCOME