Christ in the Desert Monastery

This has been my first super busy weeks at Ghost Ranch. I was working with a youth group that came in, preparing their reflections and themes for the week, in addition to my normal chaplain worship responsibilities. It has been great!

I had a wonderful break through experience this morning. I lead a small group in Contemplative Worship and found out that not only can I lead myself in contemplative meditation, but can lead others as well. A 7am service is certainly out of my "normal life" comfort zone, but it was pretty darn comfortable!

Perhaps it was because I was so tired that I was able to do this.  Kind of like how they say being relaxed when you're in a car accident can save your life. Maybe?

After that we took the youth group on a three mile pilgrimage to Christ in the Desert Monastery. The experience was wonderful. We spent some time talking about what a pilgrimage is and can represent, and spent the last mile in silence as we approached the monastery.

Brother Andre (from Connecticut originally) gave us a tour. He has been there for 30 years and has a down to earth and humorous personality. I would love to get to spend some more time in conversation with him, but alas, the monastery has a pretty strict schedule to their Benedictine days!

The brothers there brew their own beer and I plan to pick it up when I go to Santa Fe this Sunday. Shout out to Cameron Highsmith and Jeff Ferguson, the SFTS Brewers.