April 5, 2026, The Resurrection of the Lord – The Mass of Easter Day: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Colossians 3:1-4; John 20:1-9
Jesus Christ has risen! Celebrate hope renewal and new life. We thank you, Lord, for the victory of light over darkness and love over death. Help us to live with the confidence of that resurrection, leaving behind our fears and old selves to step into new life. May your peace, which passes all understanding, reside in our hearts this Easter and in all our tomorrows.
On behalf of the sisters, know that your intentions are in our prayers. God bless you with love and peace.

The above painting, “La Résurrection,” by Andrea Montegna 1431-1506, (Wikimedia) depicts the power and glory of Jesus Christ rising from the tomb. Notice the faces of the onlookers in a mixture of emotions: awe, calm, fear and great joy as the believers encounter the power of Christ’s victory over death. Let us pray with St. Gregory the Great, “You cleared away the darkness of sin by your magnifient and radiant Resurretion. You broke the bonds of death and rose from the grave as a conqueror. You recociled heaven and earth. Our life had no hope of eternal happiness before you redeemed us. Your Resurrection has washed away our sins, restored our innocence, and brought us joy. How inestimable is the tenderness of your love. Amen.”

O God,
who on this day,
through your Only Begotten Son,
have conquered death
and unlocked for us the path to eternity,
grant, we pray,
that we who keep the solemnity of the Lord’s Resurrection may,
through the renewal brought by your Spirit,
rise up in the light of life.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
— Amen.

Pope Leo XIV – Intentions for the month of April 2026: For priests in crisis. Let us pray for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer.

“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”.

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