In the late 1940’s, Bernard May, a former World War II pilot, purchased seventy acres forming the boundaries of the current property. He built a family home, airstrip, and small airplane hanger on his land.

May sold the land to the Community of Dominican Sisters from Philadelphia in the 1950’s. They built a dormitory for short-stay retreats in 1960. In the mid-1980’s, the sisters built a small convent, four hermitages, and the Chapel of the Baptist. In the meantime, the Dominican Sisters sold the Retreat House to the Archdiocese of Santa Fe but continued to run it.

Our community purchased the retreat center from the Archdiocese of Santa Fe in 1995. In 1998 we began Phase I of the long-range development plan which included building Santa Maria de la Vid Church, renovating the May home to serve as our communal dining facility, converting the former airplane hanger into a temporary library, renovating the former retreat center dormitory into a private residence center for our men and renovation our Bethany Guest House (the former convent) and the Hermitages to make them more suitable for retreat guests.

As we celebrate the 900th anniversary of the Norbertine Order in 2021, we are planning for the needs of the people we serve. We are receiving more requests than ever for the use of our retreat facilities. In order to accommodate these requests, we will require additional conference and retreat space, and more overnight accommodations. Our plan for growth includes adding ten bedrooms (including two handicapped accessible), an open-air patio/gathering space, and a small-group meeting room. Significantly enlarge the size of Our Lady of Guadalupe commons, making it possible for both larger and multiple groups to meet. Construct an addition to the Norbertine’s community room so that guests and friends of the Community can be accommodated. Build four new self-contained hermitages as spaces of solitude and privacy for individual retreatants and other guests..

As Norbertine brothers we will have an everlasting presence on this land.  Already several of our brothers have their earthly resting places here in our communal cemetery. We have dedicated our lives to our ministry in New Mexico and made this place our permanent home now and for many generations to come.

A permanent outlook is reflected in how we approach the land and the structures that we establish. Implicit in each move that we make is our sacred obligation to brothers that we have yet to meet, brothers not yet born.  We are living ancestors of Norbertine priests, brothers, and laity yet to come into their roles in service to future generations.  We are deeply dedicated to that responsibility. Our planning reflects a commitment to centuries of sustainability.

The Abbey Church of Santa Maria de la Vid is the center of the spiritual life of the Norbertine Community. It includes a gathering space as well as a Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Housed within its walls are many sacred images from a variety of artistic traditions to stimulate the religious imagination. Like the Chapel of the Baptist, the Church of Santa Maria de la Vid is open to the public for private prayer and devotion. It also is the location of larger lecture events and can be used by retreat groups as well. All are welcome to join the Norbertine Community in daily prayer.

“The place on which you stand is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5

This guide is designed to help pilgrims to Santa María de la Vid Abbey appreciate some of its sacred grounds.
Reflecting on these Scripture passages can facilitate a kind of meditative “Stations” from one holy spot to the next.
Bench Outside the Library 

“I am the true vine…you are the branches.” John 15:1,5 (the vines that welcome us to the Abbey of Holy Mary of the Vine).
“I will allure her; I will lead her to the desert and speak to her heart. From there I will give her the vineyards she had….” Hosea 2:16-17
“Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5

Inside Library

“Wisdom calls: Let whoever is simple turn in here; to the one who lacks understanding, she says, ‘Come
eat of my food…advance in the way of understanding.’” Proverbs 9:1, 4 ,5,6
“Learn where prudence is, where strength, where understanding…. Who has found the place
of wisdom, who has entered into her treasuries?” Baruch 9:13 ,15

Welcoming Courtyard

Prayer Bells

“Come, let us worship the Lord...the God who made us.” Psalm 95:6

Statue of the Risen Christ

“Peace be with you…. As he said this he showed them his hands and his feet” Luke 24:36, 40
“Do not be afraid.” Matthew 28:19

Gathering Space

Water Rock

“God split the rock and water gushed forth; it flowed through the desert like a river.” Psalm 105: 41
“The Lord is my rock, my deliverer…. Who but our God is the rock.” Psalm 18:41
“A soldier thrust his lance into Jesus’ side and immediately blood and water flowed out.” John 20:34
“Water from the side of Christ, wash me.” Anima Christi

Large Candle

“In your great mercy you did not forsake them in the desert…the column of fire did not cease to light for them the way they were to travel” Nehemiah 9:19
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life” John 8:12

Santa María de la Vid Sculpture

“Hail full of grace…. Blessed is the fruit of your womb…. God has done great things for me…the hungry he has filled.” Luke 1:28, 42, 49, 53

Worship Space 

Day of Pentecost Icon

“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all gathered together in one place…and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.” Acts of the Apostles 2:1, 4

Architecture

“You told me to construct a temple on your holy mountain and an altar in the place where you took up residence…a copy of the holy tent that you had prepared from the beginning.” Wisdom 9:8
“Let them make a Sanctuary, a sacred tent, for me that I may dwell in their midst. This Dwelling and all its furnishings you shall make according to the pattern I show you.” Exodus 25:8
“Make the interior of the sacred Tent, the Tent of my presence, out of pieces of fine linen.” Exodus 26:1

Navajo Blanket

“Let us walk in beauty” Navajo Prayer

Madonna and Child Sculpture

“The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom and grace…. And his mother kept all these things in her heart” Luke 2:40, 51

Saints Norbert and Augustine

“…of one heart and mind…with great power they bore witness to the resurrection of the Lord” Acts fo the Apostles 4:32,33
St. John the Baptist: “Behold the Lamb of God” John 1:29
St. Mary Magdalene: “Let me seek him whom my soul loves.” Song of Songs 3:2
“Woman, why are you weeping…. Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’… go to the others and tell them…. I have seen the Lord.’” John 20:15-18

Meditation  Chapel

“You are my God, for you I long. My soul thirsts for you like a dry weary land without water. So I look to you in the sanctuary to see your strength and your glory.” Psalm 63:2-3

View of Desert

“I will allure her; I will lead her to the desert and speak to her heart.” Hosea 2:16
“The world is charged with the grandeur of God. It will flame out, like shining from shook foil.” God’s Grandeur, Gerard Manley Hopkins
“The desert and the parched land will rejoice; they will bloom with abundant flowers…. They will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.” Isaiah 35:1-3
“Who can climb the mountain of the Lord? Who can stand in his holy place? The one with clean hands and a pure heart.” Psalm 24:3-4

Sanctuary Lamp

“You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; you light up my darkness.” Psalm 18:39
“My soul keeps vigil through the night, more than those who watch for the morning light.” Psalm 130:6
“I was the last to keep vigil, as one who gathered the leftovers after the grape pickers.” Sirach 33:16

Meditation Statue

“There is a God-shaped hole in the heart of every person which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus.” Blaise Pascal

Saints Norbert and Augustine Icon

“Attain to the unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God, to full maturity, to the full extent of the full stature of Christ” Ephesians 4:13
“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony with one another, in keeping with Jesus Christ, that with one accord you may with one voice glorify The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:5-6
“I have given them the glory you gave me so that they may be one as we are one” John 17:22

Chapel of the Baptist

“I will allure her; I will lead her to the desert and speak to her heart.” Hosea 2:16
“A voice crying out in the desert: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.’” Mark 1:3

Sculpture of St. John the Baptist

“This joy of mine has been made complete. He must increase; I must decrease.” John 3:29-30

Inside Chapel

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:11
“I fell prone as the glory of the LORD entered the temple.” Ezekial 43:3-4