On the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, 12 December 2018, the monastic community of the Abbey of Christ in the Desert elected Dom Christian Leisy OSB as its new Abbot. Abbot Christian succeeds the Right Reverend Philip Lawrence OSB, who had served as superior of Christ in the Desert for over 42 years. Presiding over the election was the Right Reverend Guillermo Leon Arboleda Tamayo OSB, Abbot President of the international Subiaco Cassinese Congregation of Benedictine Monks, to which Congregation Christ in the Desert belongs. After the election, Abbot President Guillermo installed Abbot Christian as the Abbot of Christ in the Desert. Abbot Christian has been a monk of Christ in the Desert since 1977 and originally hails from Oregon. Retiring Abbot Philip said, “I know that Abbot Christian will be a superlative superior of our community!” Abbot Christian solicits the prayers of all of the friends of Christ in the Desert, that he may serve humbly and well as shepherd of the community.
The monks of the Benedictine Confederation offer their sincerest congratulations to Abbot Christian on the joyous news of his abbatial election, with assurance of prayers for God’s blessings upon him, the monastic community of Christ in the Desert, and all of their endeavors. We also give thanks to God for Abbot Philip, for his many decades of devoted service to the Abbey of Christ in the Desert.