St. Benedict’s Guesthouse

St. Benedict’s Guesthouse
Gobernador, New Mexico

Let us open our eyes to the Divine Light.
(Rule of St. Benedict, Prologue)

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.

St. Benedict’s Guesthouse

We have three nicely furnished single guestrooms, each with private bath. Also a double bed accommodation.  The rooms have lovely views of piñon and juniper pines as well as meadow fields of sage.  Price includes all meals, directed retreats are available.

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.

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.

Accommodations

Bed and bath linens are provided.  Please bring personal hygiene items, your own flashlight, and a non-electric alarm clock.  Breakfast and the light meal are provided in the St. Joseph Center and you are welcomed to join the sisters for the main meal.

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.

Let all guests who arrive be received as Christ, because he will say: “I was stranger and you took me in,” (Matthew 25:35).

And let due honor be shown to all especially to those “of the household of the faith,” (Galatians 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 , Chapter 53, “Of the Reception of Guests.”)