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Finding Christ in the Desert
Our Sunday Visitor ^ | 5/30/18 | Jim Graves

Posted on 06/13/2018 6:31:59 PM PDT by marshmallow

Benedictine monks in Chama Canyon, New Mexico, encounter God through work, prayer and silence in the wilderness

In 1964, Father Aelred Wall, OSB (1917-84), and two other monks left Mount Saviour Monastery in New York to scout out remote locations to establish a new “daughter,” or off-shoot monastery. After visiting Maine and Minnesota, the monks came to northern New Mexico and laid eyes on a rancho in the wilderness of Chama Canyon, 75 miles north of Santa Fe. They declared, “This is it!” and established the Monastery of Christ in the Desert of Abiquiu (www.christdesert.org). At a time when religious communities are in decline across the West, the community has enjoyed remarkable growth, and is today home to 60 monks.

Brother Benedict, the community’s prior, who has been a monk for 41 years, believes the community has thrived for multiple reasons. He said, “We’re a joyful community, and joy is very attractive. We’ve had the same superior for 42 years, which leads to stability and continuity. And, we’re faithful to the monastic tradition and the teaching of the Church, and fidelity is important.”

The community is home to monks from 14 nations, with monks ranging in age from 20 to 91. The average age is 34. The community has enjoyed “phenomenal” growth in the past 25 years, Brother Benedict said, and has seen several daughter houses grow out of the community in Texas, Mexico and Costa Rica, with plans in the works for two additional houses. Moreover, another 50 men have applied for membership, but “we don’t have the cells for them. We have had so many vocations, it’s been a challenge.”

(Excerpt) Read more at osv.com ...


TOPICS: Catholic; Ministry/Outreach; Prayer
KEYWORDS: abiquiu; benedictine; benedictines; catholic; christdesert; christinthedesert; monastery; monk; monks; newmexico; osb

1 posted on 06/13/2018 6:32:00 PM PDT by marshmallow
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To: marshmallow

Thank you for posting. I have been there several times just after it opened.


2 posted on 06/13/2018 6:38:02 PM PDT by laplata (Liberals/Progressives have diseased minds.)
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To: marshmallow

Monks are cool. They’re devoted to their order as established by God, are intelligent and make great jam and liquor.

May the Lord make monks in unlimited supply until I run out of cash.

Amen.


3 posted on 06/13/2018 6:48:47 PM PDT by sergeantdave (Teach a man to fish and he'll steal your gear and sell it)
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To: sergeantdave

Amen to that.


4 posted on 06/13/2018 7:09:34 PM PDT by laplata (Liberals/Progressives have diseased minds.)
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To: laplata

5 posted on 06/13/2018 7:37:55 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (Lost my tagline on Flight MH370. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
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To: UCANSEE2

I haven’t heard that song in years. But now I have the tune in my head. Lol

Thanks.


6 posted on 06/13/2018 8:14:48 PM PDT by laplata (Liberals/Progressives have diseased minds.)
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To: marshmallow

I’ve been there several times. Most recently when I stayed a week about two months ago.

It’s like entering a spiritual elevator being there.


7 posted on 06/13/2018 11:41:33 PM PDT by tired&retired (Blessings)
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To: sergeantdave

They have expanded, building new dormitories and opened a brother monestery when other monasteries are cutting back.

I could feel the love radiating from the older priests.


8 posted on 06/13/2018 11:44:34 PM PDT by tired&retired (Blessings)
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To: laplata

Nice to have something that relaxing in your head.


9 posted on 06/16/2018 2:51:11 PM PDT by UCANSEE2 (Lost my tagline on Flight MH370. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
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To: UCANSEE2

Yes, it is.


10 posted on 06/16/2018 8:02:31 PM PDT by laplata (Liberals/Progressives have diseased minds.)
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