About Our Lady of Belen · Belen, New Mexico
Our Lady of Belen is a Catholic parish in Belen, New Mexico, rooted in a rich history dating back to 1741 when the town was founded as Nuestra Señora de Belén. The parish has experienced multiple eras of spiritual leadership, including Spanish-Franciscan, Spanish-American Secular, French Secular, and Servite periods. Today, it serves a vibrant community through regular Masses, sacraments, and active ministries in both English and Spanish. The parish is known for its strong sense of community, historical preservation, and commitment to faith formation and service.
- Established
- 1741
- Patron
- Our Lady of Belen
- Diocese
- Santa Fe Diocese
Why belong here
Join Our Lady of Belen to be part of a community that brings the Gospel into daily life at home, school, and work. Engage in ministries like Adoration, Rosary, and Prayer Shawls, or support sacramental life through Confirmation, Marriage, and Reconciliation. The parish offers a warm, welcoming environment with Spanish and English services, active youth and adult groups, and opportunities to serve others through outreach and faith formation.
Mass times at Our Lady of Belen
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Friday: After 5:00 PM Mass
- Saturday: 2:30–4:00 PM
History
Belen was established as a royal grant in 1741 by Diego Torres and Antonio de Salazar. The town was named Nuestra Señora de Belén, later shortened to Belén. The parish did not have a resident pastor until 1793, when Fray Cayetano Jose Ignacio Bernal was appointed pastor, marking the beginning of the Spanish-Franciscan Period. In 1826, the Spanish-American Secular Priests took over, followed by French Secular Priests in 1853. The church was destroyed by flooding in 1855 and rebuilt in New Town in 1860. The French Period ended in 1927, when the Servites of Chicago took over. The parish continues to thrive with active ministries and a strong community presence.
Ministries
- Knights of Columbus
- Knights of the Altar
- Men's ACTS
- Women's ACTS
- Catholic Daughters of the Americas
- Homebound
- Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist
- Adoration
- Lectors
- Consolation
- Sacristans
- Rosary Makers & Prayer Shawls Ministry
- O.C.I.A
- Grupo de Oracion
- Los Pastores De Belen
Sacraments
- Confirmation
- Marriage
- Reconciliation
- Baptism