The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi): Worship of the Eucharist by Sister Mary: In the liturgy of the Mass we express our faith in the real presence of Christ under the species of bread and wine by, among other ways, genuflecting or bowing deeply as a sign of adoration of the Lord. ‘The Catholic Church has always offered to the sacrament of the Eucharist the cult of adoration, not only during Mass, but also outside of it., reserving the consecrated host with the utmost care, exposing them to the solemn veneration of the faithful, and carrying them in procession.’” 162(CCC, 1378)
“It is highly fitting that Christ should have wanted to remain present to his Church in this unique way. Since Christ was about to take his departure from his own in his visible form, he wanted to give us his sacramental presence since he was about to offer himself on the cross to save us. He wanted us to have the memorial of the love with which he loved us ‘to the end,163 even to the giving of his life. In his Eucharistic presence he remains mysteriously in our midst as the one who loved us and gave himself up for us,164 and he remains under signs which express and communicate this love:
“That in this sacrament are the true Body of Christ and his true Blood is something that ‘cannot be apprehended by the senses,’ says St. Thomas, but only by faith, which relies on divine authority.’ For this reason, in a commentary on Luke 22:19 ( ‘This is my body which is given for you.’) St. Cyril says ‘Do not doubt whether its true, but rather receive the words in faith, or since he is the truth, he cannot lie.’’166
Recently, The Saint Leo University community celebrated the achievements of more than 1,300 graduates on Saturday, May 11, 2024, in Florida. Our Sister Elizabeth Tran received her master’s degree in Theology/Theological Studies, and we are very proud of her achievement. Sister Mary accompanied Sister Elizabeth. Congratulations Sister Elizabeth!
Online Retreats – The Benedictine Nuns of Jamberoo offering online retreats. For more information, please click “Retreats,” at Jamberoo Abbey.
FINAL PROFESSION: We are delighted that Sister Stephen made final vows on December 21, 2023, in the presence of our Bishop from Gallup, Bishop James E. Wall. During the Consecration, Bishop James asked Sister Stephen: “Sister Stephen, do you desire to be consecrated to God before all here present and to be recognized in the Church as a sign of Her union with Jesus Christ, the Son of the Most High God? Sister Stephen responded, “Yes, with all my heart I do desire this, in your presence, Bishop James, and before the holy people of God, relying on the mercy of God…”
Pope Francis’ prayer intentions for For June 2024: For migrants fleeing their homes
We pray that migrants fleeing from war or hunger, forced to undertake journeys full of danger and violence, find welcome and new opportunities in the countries that receive them.
Sacra Mysteria Venerari (Click for more information)
An apostolic exhortation on the Eucharist by Bishop James S. Wall, Bishop of the Gallup Diocese.
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.