HOLY CROSS RETREAT CENTER

                                                                                 CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE

The Covid-19 virus spreads ever more tragically. Public health leaders have offered more definitive guidance. We realize all our communities have a significant role to play in the concerted public health response.

The Conventual Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation have decided to cancel, postpone, or reschedule retreats, programs, and events at our three retreat centers: Franciscan Retreats and Spirituality Center in Prior Lake; MN; Mount Saint Francis – Center for Spirituality in Mount St. Francis, IN; and Holy Cross Retreat Center in Las Cruces, NM. This decision follows careful consideration of CDC and local government recommendations and recommendations of our dioceses and archdioceses. It is effective immediately, Friday, March 13th through Easter Sunday, April 12th. We will monitor the situation. As more information becomes available, we will later announce our forthcoming schedules.

You are still welcome to come for prayer in our Chapels or outside with the Rosary Walk and Labyrinth for personal prayer.  We also have developed a Prayer Walk with guided prayers.  Copies of the brochure will be in the Chapel, the outdoor bulletin board, and other locations.  As of March 23rd, the governor of New Mexico has asked all non essential businesses and non profits not to bring employees together, though they can work from home if possible.  There will be no staff on Holy Cross Retreat property till this changes.  You are still welcome to come as individuals for prayer, and you can call if needed.  We will be checking messages regularly to respond to your concerns.

Welcome to Holy Cross Retreat Center. We are happy to have you here. During your visit we invite you to become acquainted with our grounds, chapel, religious article area, library and the historical original house, built in 1912 and 1913 by Mr. & Mrs. Frank Monaghan. The adobe bricks for the house were fashioned right on the property by native work¬men. When completed, the house contained 14 rooms built around a central atrium. The furnishings for the hacienda were brought in by train.

After several years the property was passed on to Beatrice White Fountain. Mrs. Fountain and her husband, Henry, lived in the house many years and carried out extensive redecoration and landscaping as well as farming the land. In 1954, the Fountains sold the house and 19 acres to the Franciscans of Santa Barbara, California who were looking for a site to build a retreat house. Many of the unique furnishings were sold with the house, including the hand carved Japanese dining room set, an ebony grand piano and a hand carved Swiss grandfather clock.

The Franciscan Brothers’ building crew moved in and began a project which included the kitchen and dining room, conference room and chapel, friary and motel units. In 1957 Holy Cross Retreat Center opened with Fr. Owen da Silva as the first director. The Californian Franciscans continued to maintain and staff the retreat until 1980. Due to a shortage of personnel, they turned over Holy Cross Retreat Center to the Conventual Franciscan Friars.