About Holy Cross Retreat Center · Mesilla Park, New Mexico
Holy Cross Retreat Center is a Catholic retreat house in Mesilla Park, New Mexico, nestled in a large pecan grove with views of the Organ Mountains. Founded in 1957, it has been run since 1980 by the Conventual Franciscan Friars (OFM Conv.), who welcome individuals and groups — priests, religious, married couples, youth, recovering alcoholics, cancer patients, and seekers of every denomination — to a sacred space for prayer, reflection, and renewal. The center offers 46 private-bath retreat rooms, a chapel, a library, meeting rooms, a Rosary Walk, a labyrinth, two hermitages, and miles of walking paths along irrigation canals.
- Established
- 1957
- Patron
- Holy Cross
- Rector
- Fr. Tom Smith, OFM Conv. (Retreat Director since 2010)
- Diocese
- Diocese of Las Cruces (founded 1982; previously under the Diocese of El Paso at the time of Holy Cross's establishment)
Why belong here
Holy Cross offers a rare, contemplative oasis in the southern New Mexico desert — 232 acres of pecan groves, a labyrinth, a Rosary Walk, and quiet hermitages — where visitors of any faith can step away from daily life to encounter God. With year-round retreats (silent, cancer-journey, pilgrimage, Franciscan-themed) and facilities that host parish groups, Engaged Encounter weekends, AA retreats, and youth programs, it is both a refuge for individuals and a hub for the wider Catholic community of the Diocese of Las Cruces and beyond.
Mass times at Holy Cross Retreat Center
Weekly Mass schedule
History of Holy Cross Retreat Center
The center was born of a shared vision between Bishop Sidney M. Metzger of the Diocese of El Paso and Father Owen de Silva, OFM, of the Franciscan Friars' Santa Barbara Province. Bishop Metzger had long dreamed of a place where God's people could find respite, and the Friars answered by purchasing 19 acres — including a historic 1912–1913 Monaghan adobe hacienda — in 1954. The friars' own building crew constructed the retreat rooms, chapel, kitchen, and dining room, and the first retreat was held in September 1957.
- 1912–1913: Frank and Mrs. Monaghan build the 14-room adobe hacienda
- 1954: Fountains sell the house and 19 acres to the Franciscan Friars of Santa Barbara Province
- Feb. 1956: Franciscan building crew arrives on site
- Sept. 1957: First retreat held; 3,500 retreatants served in year one
- Oct. 26, 1958: Friars of St. Barbara Province officially dedicate the Center
- Feb. 10, 1980: Property transferred to the Conventual Franciscans' Custody of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- May 1981: Holy Cross Retreat Foundation established by Riley Brown, Bill Burton, and John Clifford
- Property later expanded to 232.01 acres with the Peterson Ranch purchase
Our Staff & Franciscan Leadership
The center is served by Conventual Franciscan friars and lay staff who together create a spirit of Franciscan hospitality.
- Fr. Tom Smith, OFM Conv. — Retreat Director since 2010; background in parish ministry, outreach to Spanish-speaking immigrants, and retreat ministry; plays guitar and gardens
- Fr. Cristian Ubaldo Martinez, OFM Conv. — Friar Associate; ordained 2021; previously parochial vicar of the West Side Tri-Parish in San Antonio, Texas; served as a missionary in the mountains of Guerrero, Mexico; enjoys music, painting, and gardening
- Br. Joseph Bach, OFM Conv. — Associate Retreat Director; 24 years in Catholic education as teacher and administrator; previously Director of Franciscan Outreach Ministry at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine in San Antonio, TX; bilingual and offers spiritual direction and retreat ministry
- Debbie Isham — Business Manager / HR; joined in 2014 after years with the Diocese of Las Cruces
- Margaret Flores — Program Coordinator since 2017; previously in diocesan/parish finance; primary contact for the Art Festival
Retreats & Programs
Holy Cross runs an active calendar of directed, themed, and silent retreats open to individuals and groups. Retreats typically range from $35 to $175 in cost. The center also hosts outside Catholic groups including Catholic Engaged Encounter of El Paso–Las Cruces (six pre-Cana weekends a year).
- Silent Retreat with Fr. Tom Smith, OFM Conv.
- Living and Loving with God's Love — Fr. Henry Beck, OFM
- The Further Journey: The Two Halves of Life — Fr. Henry Beck, OFM
- Making Peace with Cancer: A Franciscan Journey — Br. Joseph Bach, OFM Conv.
- Pilgrimage to Early Franciscan Missions — Fr. Tom Smith, OFM Conv.
- Catholic Engaged Encounter weekends (Diocese of El Paso & Diocese of Las Cruces)
- Custom group retreats for parishes, schools, religious orders, and recovery communities
Facilities & Grounds
Set in a pecan grove with a view of the Organ Mountains, Holy Cross offers a full complement of retreat, meeting, and outdoor spaces.
- 46 retreat rooms with private baths (individually air-conditioned and heated; total 120 beds)
- Accessible bathrooms
- Large and small conference/meeting rooms
- Library and living room
- Inner atrium / garden patio (in the historic 1912 hacienda)
- Large courtyard with fountain and trellis
- Rosary Walk
- Outdoor labyrinth
- Two individual hermitages facing the Organ Mountains
- Miles of walking paths along the irrigation canals
- Ample shaded outdoor seating
- Religious article / gift shop
Holy Cross Chapel
The chapel is the spiritual heart of the retreat center. Public Mass is celebrated in the main Chapel on Wednesdays at 6:30 pm. Other Masses are scheduled as groups request, and special Masses for funerals, anniversaries, or other events can be considered (weddings are generally not accommodated because the chapel is busiest on weekends with retreats).
- Wednesday Mass — 6:30 pm in the main Chapel
- Group-requested Masses in English or Spanish
- Eucharistic reservation available
Labyrinth & Outdoor Contemplation
The grounds include a labyrinth and a Rosary Walk, alongside miles of walking paths along the irrigation canals — inviting guests to combine walking prayer with the quiet of the pecan grove.
- Labyrinth
- Rosary Walk
- Walking paths along the irrigation canals
Franciscan Festival of Fine Arts
The annual Franciscan Festival of Fine Arts is a major community fundraiser held at the Retreat Center. Margaret Flores, the Program Coordinator, serves as the primary contact for festival registration.
- Annual art festival
- Fundraiser benefiting Holy Cross Retreat Center
- Registration inquiries: [email protected]
Visit, Contact & Getting Here
Guests and day visitors are invited to become acquainted with the grounds, the chapel, the religious article area, the library, and the historic 1912–1913 Monaghan house. Inquiries, group bookings, and sacramental requests are handled by the program coordinator and the friars.
- Address: 600 Holy Cross Rd., Mesilla Park, NM 88047
- Phone: 1-575-524-3688
- General email: [email protected]
- Director: [email protected]
- Program Coordinator: [email protected]
- Business Manager: [email protected]
- Br. Joseph Bach: [email protected]
- Fr. Cristian Martinez: [email protected]