Monastery of the Risen Christ

Monastery of the Risen Christ The community in San Luis Obispo is situated just inland beyond the coastal mountains in the shadow of Cerro Romauldo and overlooking Hollister Peak. O.S.B.

The Monastery of the Risen Christ began as a Mission from Our Lady of Guadalupe Abbey, Peco, New Mexico in May 1987, by Fr. Ray Roh O.S.B. In March 1992 it became an independant Priory with the arrival of Abbot David Geraets, O.S.B., as Superior. There were several others in the founding group from New Mexico that included: Fr. Stephen Odenbrett, O.S.B., Fr Albert Meyer, O.S.B., Fr. Raymond Greco,

O.S.B., and Marie DeSciullo Obl. In March of 2013 the monastery was released from the founding affiliation of the Olivetan Congregation. In February of 2014 after many months of communication between the Benedictine Superiors of the Camaldolese Congregation and the Olivetan Congregation, the monastery has entered into a three year process of inclusion to be designated as as dependent monastic house of the New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur, California. The excitement brought by this new relationship is only tempered by the three-year requirement to be financially independent. Over the years our monastery has been blessed by the generosity of many wonderful benefactors. We continue to humbly appeal to those who have supported us in the past for continued charity. Our vision includes continued the operation of the monastery:
Drilling a water-well
Renovation of the chapel area and retreat facilities
Development and maintenance of this website to provide information on our contemplative way of life
On-site ministry
Future visions for the monastery include:
Income producing projects in beekeeping, bookstore and food items sales
Contemplative garden sitting areas on the hillside above the facilities
Contemplative walking/hiking trail up to the top of Cerro Romauldo, 1,306 feet (398 m)
Meditative labyrinth
The monks’ labors include hospitality, retreats, and a book store. Many of the monks were called to monastic life as a second career. Former careers of community members include college and high school teaching. Former religious careers include service as diocesan priests and as members of Franciscan and orders.

06/07/2026
Newly remodeled altar, statue and sanctuary of our chapel at MRC
06/02/2026

Newly remodeled altar, statue and sanctuary of our chapel at MRC

05/23/2026

As we approach the Day of Pentecost, I have been thinking back to the beginning of Lent. I am struck again by how this arc of time that began with ashes will end with fire, that vivid image and symbol of the Spirit that comes to Jesus’ gathered followers. Pentecost comes to remind us, in part, that ashes do not have the final word, and that fire does not come only to consume. It comes also to bless, to call, to inspire, to give to us what we could never begin to imagine on our own. Here at the threshold of this new season, this blessing is for you, with gratefulness.

WHAT THE FIRE GIVES
A Blessing for Pentecost

You had thought that fire
only consumed,
only devoured,
only took for itself,
leaving merely ash
and memory
of something
you had believed,
if not permanent,
would be long enough,
enduring enough,
to be nearly
eternal.

So when you felt
the scorch on your lips,
the searing in your heart,
you could not
at first believe
that flame could be
so generous,
that when it came to you—
you, in your sackcloth
and sorrow—
it did not come
to consume,
to take still more
than everything.

What surprised you most
were not the syllables
that spilled from
your scalded,
astonished mouth—
though that was miracle
enough,
to have words
burn through
what had been numb,
to find your tongue
aflame with a language
you did not know
you knew—

no, what came
as greatest gift
was to be so heard
in the place
of your deepest
silence,
to be so seen
within the blazing,
to be met
with such completeness
by what the fire gives.

—Jan Richardson
from Circle of Grace: A Book of Blessings for the Seasons
janrichardson.com/books

Image: "What the Fire Gives"
© Jan Richardson
janrichardsonimages.com

Feast of St. Matthias: A Reflection
05/14/2026

Feast of St. Matthias: A Reflection

A Reflection for the Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle, by Colleen Dulle

05/07/2026

Dear Friends,

Please join us on Saturday, May 9 for Collatio at Monastery of the Risen Christ in the newly remodeled Chapel!

The session goes from 9:30-10:30 followed by a break before Mass begins at 11:00.

All are welcome.

Blessings,
Fr. Steve, Paula, Mary Pat

05/01/2026

1K likes. "Pray with the Pope: That everyone might have food | May 2026"

Address

2308 O'Connor Way
San Luis Obispo, CA
93405

Telephone

(805) 544-1810

Website

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