“Loving God, we give you thanks for the life and ministry of Pope Francis.
In him you gave us a man of humility,
one who valued listening to the voices of the voiceless,
compassion for the undervalued,
mercy for sinners and justice for the oppressed.
You gave us a pastor
who led through the example of his love
for your people and your creation,
who was not ashamed to smell like his sheep.
Comfort all who mourn his passing,
and may the angels now lead him to paradise with you
to rest in your peace for eternity.
May your Spirit guide the future successor to your servant Francis
to continue the work you have begun through him,
for the good of the Church and the world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Liturgical Press)”
“HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS READ BY CARDINAL GIOVANNI BATTISTA RE
St Peter’s Basilica
Holy Saturday, 19 April 2025
Sisters, brothers, the Easter season is a time of hope. “There still is fear, there still is a painful awareness of sinfulness, but there also is light breaking through… Easter brings the good news that although things seem to get worse in the world, the Evil One has already been overcome. Easter allows us to affirm that even though God seems very distant and although we remain preoccupied with many little things, our Lord walks with us on the road… Thus there are many rays of hope casting their light on our way through life” (H. Nouwen, A Cry for Mercy, Prayers from the Genesee). Let us make room for the light of the Risen Lord! And we will become builders of hope for the world.”
The Benedictine Sisters of the Monastery pray that you have a Blessed Easter with continued hope in Jesus Christ, Our Risen Lord! Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Fourteen years after the modular was placed on the property, there has been a build-up of snow and rain, and the building is sinking to the side and may cause damage to the 4-room building, which is part of our income to support the monastery. Professional Builders have proposed redoing the back porch by removing the water and resurfacing with gravel and resurfacing with more dirt and cement. Many of your helped us reach our goal of the funds needs and will use the rest for making a front entrance to the Chapel and other landscaping projects.
We were delighted recently to have Sister Joanna Burley, OSB, from the Benedictine Sisters of Virginia. Sister Joanna gave our community members lessons on “Liturgy,” not only on how to sing but the history of Liturgy and the impact of St. Benedict in his Rule, Chapters 8-19, which is about the Divine Office, stressing its importance in monastic life. The sisters were also invited to have private lessons with S. Joanna, and also to find what type of voice each of us has: A trumpet voice, a flute voice, etc. Overall, it was a success and we hope to incorporate her ideas and suggestions because the Divine Office is the central work of our contemplative community, praising, praying in union with God.
The first meeting of the Benedictine Congregation of the Mother of the Incarnation, St Scholastica Priory in Petersham, Massachusetts, was held February 4-7, 2025. Here is a picture of Abbot Emeritus Anselm, from St. Mary’s Monastery, who came to preside over the election of our first president of the congregation. Prioress Hilda and Sister Kateri are next and from Our Lady of the Desert in New Mexico, Then Sister Gemma who was the secretary for the General Chapter, St. Scholastic Priory. Sister Elizabeth is next who is from Abbey of St. Walburga, then Sister Mary Frances and next, Mother Maria-Michael from the Abbey of St. Walburga and Mother Mary Elizabeth elected President of the Congregation, St. Scholastica Priory. Each community had their superior and one delegate for the meeting. There was much accomplished, and we are grateful and blessed for this encounter going over the Constitutions and appointing various officers.
Pope Francis Monthly Intentions for April 2025: For the use of the new technologies: Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.
“BE DOERS OF THE WORD,” by Bishop James S. Wall, Bishop of the Gallup diocese 2024: “Most Rev. James S. Wall, Bishop of Gallup discusses his special connection to the diocese and his experience as bishop in this unique diocese. Bishop Wall also talks about how the Catholic Home Missions Appeal helps provide the faithful of his diocese with the most basic things and why contributing to the Collection is so important. Bishop Wall’s diocese also has the highest percentage of Native American lands of any diocese in the country, he briefly discusses how the Church can minister to Native Americans through the Pastoral Framework for Indigenous Ministry “Keeping Christ’s Sacred Promise”. Bishop Wall just completed his 6th pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago this October!”
MISSION STATEMENT –The Monastery of Our Lady of the Desert is a monastic community of women in the Benedictine tradition. We profess vows of stability, conversion of life and obedience. Our primary mission, is to seek God through a life of prayer, silence and solitude. Our way of life frees us to give glory and praise to God, intercede through prayer for the needs of the world and hospitality