Day trip: Monastery of Christ in the Desert

Monastery of Christ in the Desert

• Location: About 135 miles from the closest major airport in Albuquerque, 75 miles north of Santa Fe, and about 53 miles south of Chama, via U.S. Route 84

• What activities can you enjoy at this location: The monastery is situated in a canyon in northwestern New Mexico, surrounded by miles of government-protected wilderness.

From its beginning the monastery has followed the Benedictine life with no external apostolates, but maintains a guesthouse for private retreats where men and women can share the Divine Office and Mass in the abbey church with the monks. Besides maintaining the guesthouse, the monks engage in agriculture, craft, maintenance and computer work at the monastery. A gift shop is also part of the monastery’s income, which includes a mail-order department of books and other religious items in the gift shop.

• What ages is this place best suited for?: Adults

• Hours of operation: 9:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Information: (801) 545-8567