Thursday, April 22, 2010

Desert House of Prayer in Tuscon


Recently, I had the pleasure of discovering the Desert House of Prayer, thanks to the initiative of my friends. The Desert House of Prayer is located in the beautiful foothills of Tuscon, on the way to the familiar Sonoran Desert Museum. This is a great asset to those seeking quiet solitude in a supportive environment. The hermitage's are scattered around the property to allow privacy and contemplation, in true desert surroundings. Everything is simply furnished to provide reasonable comfort while avoiding any resort-like amenities. I have not stayed on the property as of yet, but I am looking for to doing so soon. Below is an excerpt from the website:

Desert House of Prayer is a center for contemplative prayer in the Christian, Catholic tradition. Located on 31 acres of Sonoran Desert outside Tucson, Arizona, Desert House of Prayer, founded in 1974, is a place and community committed to silence. Surrounded by three mountain ranges, the natural beauty of terrain evokes an awareness of God's grandeur. The conditions are ideal for fruitful solitude, in which "all things find their just emphasis." (Rilke)

Desert House of Prayer comprises several buildings, each one opening directly onto the desert: 4 hermitages and 10 rooms with separate entrances and private baths; a chapel, a library, and a central dining area. The accommodations are named after the saints of the mystical tradition (Francis, Teresa, Juan de la Cruz, etc.) and suggest the spirit of the same by simple works of art and decor. Each space is revered as a silent area except during times designated for conversation.

Desert House of Prayer

1 comment:

  1. I am most interested in the history of this place; looks wonderful. In my pokin' and junkin', as I call it, I found at a flea market a small (maybe 5" square) copper piece framing a white trivet (fired). The design on the fired trivet looks to me like an eagle, with an arrow in one talon and a horn? in the other. It is white with blue background; there is a red circle with LUX in the middle. On the back is only 'Desert House Tucson'. Can anyone tell me more about this piece ~ were they distributed to visitors; or gift for purchase? Anything? Just interested. rosimc@juno.com

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