“Let all guests who arrive be received as Christ, because He will say, “I was stranger and you took me in” (Mt 25:35). And let due honor be shown to all especially to those “of the household of the faith” (Gal 6:10) and to wayfarers. When therefore, a guest is announced let him be met by the Superior and the brethren with every mark of charity. And let them first pray together, and then let them associate with one another in peace. “

RULE OF ST. BENEDICT (RB) Chapter 53 Of the Reception of Guests.

St. Benedict’s Guesthouse – For a time of retreat and prayer, we offer three furnished single guestrooms, each with a single bed and private bath.  Guests are invited to make a suggested free-will offering for their time with us.  The rooms have lovely views of pinon and juniper pines as well as meadow fields of sage.  

Make your reservation by email or telephone between the hours of 9:30 am to 12:00 pm, Noon, Monday thru Friday at 505-419-2938. You can also contact us by US mail at the address Monastery of Our Lady of the Desert PO Box 556, Blanco, NM 87412-0556 USA.

There are two airports to our location:  Albuquerque International Sunport (3-4 hours from Gobernador) and Durango- La-Plata County Airport (hour and 40 minutes from Gobernador). In Albuquerque you can inquire with the ABQ Express Shuttle Service, Inc., that transport MON-SAT.  You can call 505-850-3880 or click to get information.  

LITURGY – The St. Benedict’s Guesthouse is within walking distance to the Chapel.  Guests are welcomed to take part in the daily Eucharist and in the singing of the psalms, hymns and responses of the Divine Office.  Books are provided in the Chapel of St. Joseph.

ACCOMMODATIONS – Bed and bath linens are provided.  We ask all guests to remove sheets and towels after their visit.  Please bring personal hygiene items, your own flashlight and a non-electric alarm clock.  We provide the main meal.  Breakfast and light meal are private with the basics of coffee, whole milk, bread, juice, water, cheese, eggs.  You are welcomed to bring any extra snacks or special foods.

Gobernador is a beautiful desert available for the enjoyment of our guests. Some of the terrain is rugged, so please bring suitable outdoor clothing and strong shoes  for walking and climbing since we are about 6,500 feet above sea level.  PLEASE NOTE that the Guesthouse is a simple facility with cell phone access.  Retreatants are asked to use headsets if they with to listen to tapes and/or DVDs.

No smoking is allowed in any of the buildings, please.

We do not accommodate pets at the monastery. 

Guests are welcomed to share in the work during their stay with us, as work is one of the elements of a balanced monastic day. Work is usually helping in the library, cleaning, yard work and some maintenance projects. Work can be adapted to the desires of each guest. If you wish to work with the sisters, please let the Guest Mistress know.

The physical LOCATION of the Monastery of Our Lady of the Desert is in Gobernador, 10258 US Hwy 64, Mile Marker #104, which is marked on the gate with a sign Monastery either side of the Highway.  Of interest click on Gobernador Knob – Aztec Ruins – Francis Ruins.

Funding for the Guesthouse

The Guesthouse was purchased for $105,000.  September, 2011, 25% of the payment was made.  Thanks to the many people who helped us in so many ways.  With your help, we were able to raise $56,000.  

In line with their mission to strengthen and propagate the Roman Catholic faith by providing grant support for a wide variety of evangelization efforts, the Koch Foundation generously awarded our community $20,000 for the Guesthouse. 

Also, one of our friends remembered us in her will.  We were also granted $6,400,  from the Benedictine Subiaco Solidarity Fund, for the guesthouse, for which we are very grateful. 

In July, 2011, the Spiritual Renewal Center, Inc., Albuquerque, NM, graciously gave to us a one-time financial gift of $20,000 to help bring the Guesthouse one step close to fruition. 

We appreciate a gift from The Sister Fund, a donation of $2,000.00, for our building project, November 2011.  God bless this organization for all the good for women on a global level. The Sister Fund is a private foundation that supports and gives voice to the marginalized, especially women working for healing in the world from a faith-based perspective.

 Fill out the contact form below