They crossed the high seas for their beloved Dom Marcus

Today is the first Friday of the month and is therefore our monastic desert day- a day of greater silence and solitude for the monastic community and our guests. In silence, it is very good to reminisce the significant days filled with significance. One was the monastic profession and solemn consecration of Dom Marcus last May 31st.

It was very evident that Dom Marcus has merited the love of his family and friends as shown by their coming over to the monastery on the day of his Solemn monastic profession last May 31st.

Dom Marcus' Parents came all the way from Quezon City Philippines and had to travel for sixteen hours by plane just to show their love for their beloved 'Samuel'.

The siblings of Le family in Houston, Texas drove themselves for several hours from Texas to New Mexico just to be able to witness the profession of their buddy and friend, Dom Marcus. Filipinos from Albuquerque and Espanola cities woke up very early to trek the heights of the canyons to the monastery just to be able to catch up with the ten o'clock Am profession ceremonies of Dom Marcus.

Other guests and friends from other parts of the country came over to witness the ceremonies and share the blessings of the profession of Dom Marcus Santiago, OSB.

Fr Mauricio, CMF of the Claretians in Zamboanga City Philippines had to struggle for permission from his community superior just to be able to fly to the USA and be with his former housemate 'Samuel' and beloved friend on the occasion of his monastic profession.


Dom Marcus' parents, Ret, Judge Pedro Santiago and Mrs. Rose Santiago had all the reasons to be with their 'Samuel' in his Solemn monastic profession.


friends from Espanola city, Oblate brother Thomas Aquinas, OSB with the couple Amy and Dani Flores - originally from Baguio City Philippines - took this rare chance to witness this monastic solemn profession of their friend and compatriot Dom Marcus, OSB


Two of the members of the Franciscans of the Renewal whose community resides in the busy downtown of Albuquerque City NM, came over to share the blessings of Dom Marcus' profession and consecration


Deacon Bro. Aaron Brunner, OSB- a monk of Maria Einseideln Archabbey in Switzerland, my schoolmate in Saint Meinrad Seminary - came over with his cousin Favian and a childhood friend from Switzerland, Raphael, to witness the Solemn monastic profession of Dom Marcus,OSB


Brian despite his sustaining arm injury from an accident and his son Shade were driven by their family driver all the way from Texas to New Mexico just to be with their beloved friend and buddy, Blessed Dom Marcus


The postmaster of Abiquiu Post office, Carol came with her husband to witness the profession of Dom Marcus,OSB


the dentist of the monastery, Dr Roxanne Collins, DMD came over to be able to witness the mystical profession and consecration of Dom Marcus, OSB


Isabel, Dom Marcus Pinay friend from Los Angeles stayed days before and after his profession just to be able to share this momentous event in his life.


OFW Filipino teachers from Espanola city who, for the first time in their lives, had witnessed the profession and consecration of Dom Marcus, were awed from the solemn ambience of the celebrations


Jojo and his fiancee, who live in Espanola, came over as well, to bring cheers to Dom Marcus on the occasion of his profession and consecration


The Le brothers from Houston Texas, did not only join as witnesses of Dom Marcus professing his Solemn Vows but also took turns in helping the Vietnamese monk Dom John Baptist in cooking for the banquet that followed shortly after the two-hour celebrations Viet, the eldest from the five siblings doing the slicing of the fried chicken that was served at the banquet


Peter, the youngest from the five brothers, helped his eldest brother at the kitchen


the Le brothers and me on a souvenir pose L to R: Francois Viet, Peter Quoc, me, Michael Anh, Antoine Nam and Agustine Khoi