Christ Desert Monastery

Monastery of Christ in the Desert-Abiquiu New Mexico

“A monastery is not a refuge, not a solution to problems of adjustment. Monasticism is a head-on collision with reality, and the more silent, the more solitude, the more head-on it is.”

Father Aelred Wall, late founder of Monastery of Christ in the Desert

Founded in 1964 the late Father Aelred Wall envisioned Christ in the Desert Monastery as a place where people “could return to the sources”. It would be a place of quiet and beauty where people could retreat from the busy life of the present and seek peace and understanding. Christ in the Desert Monastery would embrace not just religious, but people of all faiths. Father Aelred believed that the monks and guest who would come to the monastery would “not turn their backs on the world; they would leave it to re-enter it at a deeper level.”

Source: “Brothers of the Desert” by Mari Grana

During our stay we truly experienced the warm and heartfelt hospitality of the brothers of the Monastery. We felt that the spirit and ideals of the Father Aelred are still very much present and alive, nevertheless the challenges of everyday life that even the Monastery has to face. With every breath we took, we savored the peace, quietness and silence. Being at the Monastery, one slows automatically down, becomes quiet and silent. It’s a very empowering experience. Gabriela

The Monastery is a Benedictine Abbey located in one of the most beautiful areas of northern New Mexico. We have visited the Monastery several times already but I never get tired to go there again and again.

In fact quite the contrary is true:

It’s such a welcoming, embracing, safe and quiet place that after every visit, even just a short one, I feel my energy and my spirits renewed. It’s a very powerful yet very peaceful place. I love to rest in the beautiful courtyard, my back against the warm thick wall of the church, looking at the colorful flowers and taking in the amazing views of the valley below and just be. It makes me feel graceful, humble and appreciative of the beauty of the nature and the gift of being part of this world. Gabriela.

Even if you're not religious, or even if you don't consider yourself spiritual, Christ in the Desert Monastery is a 'must go to' spot in North Central New Mexico!

The backpacking & kayaking are amazing and the scenery is world renown. Artists flock here to render the incredible landscape. In fact, Gabriela and I will be overnighting there after backpacking a section of The Continental Divide Trail in June. The Trail runs very close to the Monestary! Watch The Video Just Below!

This, Christ in the Desert Monestary, cannot help but rock your soul and give you a shot of serenity. Dan

For A Stay in the Guesthouse Contact Brother James: cidguestmaster@christdesert.org

Pease Visit The Website of Christ in the Desert Monestary:
http://ChristDesert.org