An Invitation to join us for a...

Desert Pilgrimage
Santa Fe and Abiquiu, New Mexico
Eight Days October 16-23, 2010
15 persons maximum
Cost $1169

"I am at the Monastery of Christ in the Desert, Abiquiu, New Mexico.
I was bombarded by impressions getting here yesterday...
Sangre de Cristo Mountains, blue and snowy.
But after Santa Fe, marvelous long line of snowless, arid mountains,
clean long shapes stretching for miles under pure light.
Mesas, full rivers, cottonwoods, sagebrush, high red cliffs, pinon pines.
Most impressed of all by the miles of emptiness...
Around the monastery, nothing.
Perfect silence.
Bright stars at night dimly light the guest room."

Thomas Merton, Woods, Shore, Desert: A Notebook, May 1968

Come join us in pilgrimage to experience the presence of God together in the desert, and thereby to renew our spiritual lives and to engage the desert traditions in our tradition from the Bible, the Desert Mothers and Fathers of the early centuries, and more recent spiritual masters, such as Thomas Merton.

Come join us to build community among Christos pilgrims, to enjoy the beauty of creation, to appreciate Benedictine spirituality and hospitality, to enjoy the paintings and vistas of Georgia O'Keeffe, to enjoy the artistic environment of
Santa Fe.

Itinerary

Pre-departure instruction and blessing, September 29 at Christos Center

I. Preparation Period

October 16-18 In Santa Fe we stay at the beautiful Inn on the Alameda, in easy walking distance to major sites in downtown Santa Fe.

II. Retreat in the Desert Period

18-22 We retreat at Christ in the Desert Monastery: time for silence, prayer, journaling, drawing, walking, discussing desert spirituality, volunteer manual labor, praying offices with the monks (mainly the Psalms). The Christ in the Desert Monastery is truly remote. This means that for the five days we will be staying there, we will have access to genuine desert, but not have all the conveniences of home. We will use flashlight lamps in the evening, share bathrooms, and avoid the internet and television.

III. Debriefing and Farewell Period

22-23 We leave the monastery, visit O'Keeffe sites, and debrief after our experience with God in the desert.

For a detailed itinerary and the terms and conditions, click here for the registration document.

Questions? Please email the leader, Dr. Bradley Holt at holtb@augsburg.org

How to register: Download and fill out the registration document and send it by US Mail with a check for $300 to:
Destination Services of Santa Fe
PO Box 24193
Santa Fe, NM 87502

Pilgrimage
Local and Abroad

"Walking Retreats" to enhance spiritual insight and understanding.
Most "pilgrims" seek to encounter God at a deeper level through the
people, places and circumstances encountered during their pilgrimage.

Local pilgrimages have been held to St. Anthony Park MN,
Northfield MN, the Inner Cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul,
and to Metro Gardens and other Sacred Spaces.

Christos has also sponsored pilgrimages abroad to
Spain and Italy, Ireland and Iona.

Pilgrimage Mission Statement

We travel together in order to grow in faith toward

God and in love toward all people, by pondering the

lives of holy and wise ones who went before us in

the places where they grew and where they shared

with us the way of the cross and the glory of

God through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit.

Pilgrimages - Local

Come to the Garden 2009

Pilgrims at Eloise Butler Wild Garden on
A Local Pilgrimage to Gardens
an other Sacred Spaces 2009

At Eloise Butler Wild Garden

Pilgrims walking a labyrinth on
A Local Pilgrimage to Gardens and
other Sacred Spaces 2009

Pilgrims in the Boathouse at Noerenberg Gardens on
A Local Pilgrimage to Gardens and
other Sacred Spaces 2009

The Inner Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul 2007

Paul Radunz, Tamie Koehler, Trinidad, Tom Allen on a Local Pilgrimage to the Inner Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul 2007

Springtime in the Park 2006

Dick Beckmen and "pilgrims" on Springtime in the Park Local Pilgrimage 2006.

Pilgrimages - Abroad

Celtic Spirituality in Ireland and Iona 2009

St. Columba's Bay-Iona
Celtic Spirituality in Ireland and Iona 2009

Celtic Cross and High Tower-Ireland
Celtic Spirituality in Ireland and Iona 2009

Solitude St. Columba's Bay-Iona
Celtic Spirituality in Ireland and Iona 2009

Pilgrimage to Spain and Italy 2007

San Damiano-Church that St. Francis built
Pilgrimage to Spain and Italy-November 2007

Artist at work-Avila
Pilgrimage to Spain and Italy-November 2007

Solitude on Mt. LaVerna-St. Francis Holy Mt.
Pilgrimage to Spain and Italy-November 2007

After Vespers Hospitality (local style) - Assisi
Pilgrimage to Spain and Italy-November 2007