Alleluia, Christ is Risen; He is truly Risen, Alleluia!
March 27, 2016
Dear Friends,                 May your celebration of Our Lord’s Resurrection be a sacred time and be filled with joy! We appreciate all your correspondence to us, your support and friendship.
Our Lady. He encouraged his family to be stewards of the monastery, Our dear benefactor and friend, Jose M. Florez, gave his gentle and kind soul to the Lord Jesus on Saturday, February 20, 2016. He will be missed by his wife, Florence, his children and of course the many friends who loved him. He lived in the footsteps of St. Joseph and leaves a legacy of humility and love. Jose was born on March 19, 1922, the Feast of St. Joseph.  After his Funeral Mass and burial at the Gobernador Santo Niño Cemetery, there was a reception that followed at the monastery’s, St. Joseph Center. Nine years ago, on July 11, 2007, the Feast of St. Benedict, marked a milestone in the history of the Monastery of Our Lady of the Desert. Jose and Florence Florez, donated 40 acres of their beloved land in Gobernador, New Mexico, to build the monastery in honor of voicing his wish that care for the sisters be continued for generations to come.
Our annual Novena to St. Joseph begins on March 10th. You and your families are included in our prayers. May St. Joseph who is an example of mercy, intercede for all your needs. Loving Saint Joseph, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, we raise our hearts to you to implore your powerful intercession in obtaining from the Divine Heart of Jesus all the graces necessary for our spiritual and temporal welfare, particularly the grace of a happy death.
The peak of the Liturgical Year is the Easter Triduum from the evening of Holy Thursday to the evening of Easter Sunday, unfolding for us Christ’s Paschal Mystery. The Triduum marks the end of the Lenten season  and leads to the Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord at the Easter Vigil, when the Paschal candle is lit for the Liturgical New Year. Father Thomas Benedict, OSB, our Chaplain, will be leaving once again during the Easter week, to assist in the formation program for 3 months at the St. Benedict’s Abbey near Polokwane, South Africa. Please keep him in your prayers.
The schedule for the Triduum with Father Thomas Benedict, Chaplain, presiding, includes:
Holy Thursday, March 24, 6:30 pm – Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Washing of the Feet with Adoration until 8:30 pm                         Good Friday, March 25, 2 pm –Stations of the Cross and Liturgy          Easter Sunday, March 26, 4 am – Easter Vigils with Mass, followed by a light breakfast.
Our Paschal candle painted by a nun of the Abbey of St. St. Walburga, Virginia Dale, Colorado, depicts the the image of the Women at the Tomb, and the Angel announcing the Good news. From the Easter Sunday Vigil Mass, Year C, we read,
 “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He He is not here, but he has been raised…The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the the mother of James…†Luke 24:1-12
Mark your calendars for JUNE 4, 2016, for our upcoming Ice Cream Social. This year the proceeds from this event will be divided between the Monastery and the parish of St. Rose of Lima, Blanco, NM. St. Rose of Lima was our home when we began building our monastery in Gobernador, NM. We wish to support St. Rose of Lima and Pastor, Father Jim Walker, in their final phase of fundraising for their parish hall. The Monastery’s portion of the proceeds will be used to construct an all-weather walkway for the St. Walburga building connecting it with the other Monastery buildings. The day will be filled with entertainment; our famous Bingo, called out by the Knights of Columbus; raffles; and a delicious taco meal and ice cream. The function will be held at the St. Mary’s Parish, Bloomfield, NM, from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. Enclosed are tickets to win a trip for two adults to Italy, a ruby ring and other great prizes. Come join the fun!
As we continue to make straight His ways, may you experience new life through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ!
Easter Joy and Peace, Mother Benedicta Serna, OSB, Prioress