Welcome our new Novice:  Sister Stephen Phiri, November 15, 2016        A Novice is a new Benedictine-in-training who has not yet made vows.  The novice-nun wears a white veil for two years.   Sister Stephen will be studying the vows of Obedience, Stability and Conversion; The Rule of St. Benedict, Psalms, Monastic History, and Prayer.  Please pray for her.

During the ceremony before she received her new name, she  was asked: “You have come here to seek God and Saint Benedict offers you his Rule to help you.  You have read it and you know what it asks.  You are free now to accept it or to choose some other way.” Dailesi willingly received the Rule of St. Benedict.

September 22, 2016 -  Abbot Guillermo becomes the first Abbot President of the Subiaco Cassinese Congregation from the Americas.  

As many know the Subiaco Cassinese Congregation is an international union of Benedictine houses (abbeys and priories) within the Benedictine Confederation. It developed from the Subiaco Congregation, which was formed in 1867.

In 2013 the expanded congregation was given this new name. - We were pleased to hear that the General Chapter of the Subiaco Cassinese Congregation elected Father Guillermo Arboleda Tamayo, abbot of the Abbey of Santa Maria of Medellin and Administrator of Guatape, Columbia to be the new Abbot President, on September 22, 2016.  Abbot Guillermo becomes the first Abbot President of the Subiaco Cassinese Congregation from the Americas. Congratulations and many prayers for you Abbot!  Abbot Gregory Polan, O.SB Elected Abbot Primate of Benedictine Confederation - On September 10, 2016, Abbot Gregory Polan, O.S.B., of Conception Abbey, Conception, Mo., was elected Abbot Primate of the 1500-year-old Benedictine Order at the Congress of Abbots meeting in Rome, Italy held every four years.  which is made up of all abbots and conventual priors, both of monasteries that are members of congregations, as well as of those unaffiliated with any particular congregation. The Congress of Abbots elects the Abbot Primate, who serves a four-year term as the Confederation’s representative and administrative head,  We congratulate and pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and inspire our new Abbot Primate.

On September 17, 2016, Dr. Francisco and Marie Colon, had a fund raiser Get-Together in their home.  This was the fifth year that they had such a wonderful Gala, catered by Marc and Anne Weigel’s, “Come to the Feast.”  Besides the delicious meal, the sisters sold their crafts and there was an auction of retablos and an icon.  We were blessed to raise more than $6k, which will go towards our general expenses.  Thank you Lori and Friends who provided a wonderful concert of Mozart music.

SUMMER NEWSLETTER 2016 - Dear Friends,   We hope that you are having a joyful summer with perhaps a visit to our National Parks for the 100th Anniversary Celebrations. We enjoy taking guests to Navajo Lake (13 miles from the monastery) and Aztec Ruins (47 miles from the monastery). We’d love to share these national treasures with you during your stay at our guesthouse!For the 26^th Anniversary of our founding, February 2, 2016, a dear friend of the monastery gifted us with a Bulto of Our Lady of the Rosary, to add to our collection.  Bultos are wooden carvings of Santos (saints).  This primitive form of art is part of our state’s history, brought to New Mexico by the early Spanish Conquistador settlers.   “We put all our confidence in you, oh Lady of the Rosary, since your prayers before God are most powerful. For the greater glory of God and for the sake of Jesus, your loving Son, hear and grant our prayers.   Sweet Heart of Mary, pray for us.”In November 2015, we applied for a $5,400, grant through the Bishops Annual Appeal, Gallup Diocese, to refurbish our St. Joseph Center, especially the flooring, which due to peeling tile, is a growing safety hazard.  We received a check from Bishop James Wall in the amount of $2,000.00, for the renovation.  We use the Center for various lay groups,  hospitality, spiritual renewal, evangelization, ongoing education and large groups for Sunday Mass.  Could you please consider helping us to complete the total project which includes chairs, tables and a new heating and cooling unit, with a gift of $25.00?The sisters are all doing fine.  Rosario Rosario R., from Mexico spent three months with us as an Observer.  She was a a delight and has returned back home to discern her next step.

Our Postulant, Dailesi, loves gardening.  She and Sister Mary attended a “Prescribed Burn for Private Land Owners.”  Tthrough this workshop State Forestry will advise us regarding restoration of our land to its original natural habitat and grasses.

Mother Julianne continues to inspire us with her wisdom and always manages a smile!   Sister Hilda and Sister Guadalupe continue to lead the liturgy and are doing a great job.  Sister Agnes Le tends beautiful vegetable and flower gardens.  For three months, Sister Agnes Le took care of Rosco, our Chaplain, Father Thomas Benedict’s dog while he was away helping at St. Benedict’s Abbey near Polokwane, South Africa. He assisted with formation classes and generally filled in.  This gave, Father Jeffrey, our Chaplain, a time of respite from his duties as Prior of St. Benedict’s Abbey and his first visit to the USA.  Welcome back to Father Thomas-Benedict!  Sister Kateri spent two weeks with her parents as they need continued assistance.  She also enjoyed a short visit with  her 7-year-old grandson, Andrew Thomas.  On my birthday I landed up in the hospital for two days with a blood clot in my leg.  Not to worry all is well with modern treatment. This experience gave me a greater appreciation for 63 years of good health and a deeper understanding of St Benedict Rule to keep death always before us.

Our 6^th Annual Ice Cream Social in June was a fun event with over 400 people, sharing a meal, auction, raffle, door prizes, entertainment and the special Bingo organized by the Knights of Columbus.  Thank you to all who participated and especially those who volunteered.  The grand prize of a Pilgrimage to Rome for two (donated by an anonymous donor) went to Madeleine M., from Farmington.   $22,322, was raised for the joint fundraiser with St. Rose of Lima Parish, half of the proceeds went to support the building of a new parish hall for St Rose in thanksgiving for the 1 ½ years we lived at St Rose Of Lima Church as we set up the monastery in Gobernador, 2007-2009.

Know that we continue to pray for you and your loved ones.   God bless you with peace and joy! Mother Benedicta Serna, OSB, Prioress

June 4, 2016 – We were delighted to see so many of our friends at the 6th Annual Ice Cream Social, June 4, 2016, at the St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Bloomfield, NM.  A big thank you to all those who participated in having a fun time.   There were eleven Raffles, eleven Bingos, eleven door prizes and lots of delicious tacos, fresh rice, beans, home made salsa with chips, silent auction and entertainment.  The winner of the GRAND PRIZE, A JUBILEE YEAR OF MERCY PILGRIMAGE TO ITALY with Father James Walker & Deacon Roger Garcia:  Departure U. S. October 12 Return to U. S. October 21 2016, went to someone from Farmington, NM.  Congratulations to all the winners!  God bless you and know that we pray that you have a safe summer.  From Mother Benedicta