Monastery of Our Lady of the Desert

Our Lady of the Desert was founded on February 2, 1990, to reflect the feminine expression of desert monasticism. The picture to the right shows Abbot Philip of the Monastery of Christ in the Desert with Sister Ann and Sister Elizabeth, our Foundresses.

El Rito, New Mexico – February 1990, the beginning of the dream.

Mother Benedicta and Sister Mary in the Chapel when the community was in Santa Cruz, New Mexico, from October 1990 - August 1997.

From Santa Cruz, New Mexico, we moved to the property of the Monastery of Christ in the Desert in 1997.

View of our cells in Abiquiu

Mother Julianne, former member of the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur, an active community, she was an educator, principal of a school, dorm mother of young women, spiritual director, accountant, and appointed superior of the Monastery of Our Lady of the Desert on August 30, 1991.  With her expertise and accreditation of spiritual direction, education, and theological and canonical directives, she has lead and developed a deeper stability and a clearer direction of our monastic life.  Also, during her term of office, she succeeded in raising the funds to construct a new necessary addition to house women.  She retired as Superior at the end of April, 2004, but still leads us by giving classes, acting as consultant, and formator.  We appreciate her 13 years of service as Prioress!

June 2000 we became a dependent daughter house of the Abbey of the Presentation of the Lord, Jamberoo, New South Wales, Australia. The nuns of this abbey, founded in 1849, are responsible for our monastic formation. Although geographically a long way from New Mexico, with the communication technology of the 21st century, it is easy to be in regular contact. We also follow their constitutions and share the same day of foundation, February 2nd, feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple (story told in Luke 2:22-29).

Mother Benedicta who was appointed February 6, 2005, is shown with our retired Prioress, Mother Julianne.

Altar at the Abbey of Jamberoo, Australia

Mother Benedicta Serna, PRIORESS-DESIGNATE February 6, 2005

After the readings by Sister Antonia and Sister Maureen Therese, there was one minute of silence and Blessing of the Prioress designated by Sister Antonia. At the indication of Sister Antonia, the sisters were invited to raise and extend their hand toward Sr. Benedicta in blessing. With hands remaining extended, the community silently prayed for the new Prioress, Mother Benedicta.

Picture of Jose and Florence Florez with their daughter Luella

Through the intercession of St. Joseph, Shadow of the Father, we were deeded 40 acres of property in Gobernador, New Mexico, through the generosity of Jose and Florence Florez, deeded to us on June 11, 2007 and on June 13, 2008, we moved to our temporary home in Blanco, NM, at the St. Rose of Lima Parish.  Rev. Fr. Jim Walker, and all his staff at the time were and continue to support our efforts.  God bless all the parishioners who were always so kind to us!

St. Rose of Lima Parish, Blanco, NM

Late August 2009 the sisters started moving to the Gobernador property in a double-wide and two-single modular buildings.  This has been a challenge but we are home, thanks to God.

St. Joseph sees us through our "Journey of Trust"

Our Future

We look forward to an Oblate program, a program of Benedictine spirituality for the laity according to the Rule of St. Benedict.  We want to build a Guesthouse for those who wish to make a retreat, for this we pray through the intercession of St. Joseph.