John Dat & Dominic Dat take Solemn Vows, Peter Khoa transfers his Vows...the Ceremonies!

Yesterday was a BIG day for three Vietnamese monk-brothers of my community. Dom John Dat and Dom Dominic Dat took their Profession of Solemn Vows. Likewise, Dom peter Khoa transfered his Solemn Vows from his former community in Vietnam to my community at Christ in The Desert Monastery.

The one hour-and-a-half Solemn Consecration ceremony of the three monks highlighted the celebration of the Holy Eucharist which was presided by the Abbot Superior Rt. Rev. Abbot Philip Lawrence, OSB and was assisted by me as his Master of Ceremonies.

The one-and-a-half hour ceremony was followed shortly by a reception banquet for the guests, the monks of my community and the nuns of our neighboring community for women, at the refectory in Phase three.


Images of the Ceremonies at the Abbey Church


The Liturgy of the Word


the Abbot's Homily


the presentation of the candidates and proclamation of the Profession


the ceremonial 'burial of the 'old selves' of the candidates for Consecration and the congregation's laying of hands


the consecrated black cowls


The clothing of the consecrated black cowls to the two candidatesDom John Dat receiving his black cowl


Dom Dominc Dat receiving his black cowl


the heartwarming chanting of the 'Suscipe Me Domine'...


the joyous reception of the newly professed monks to the community


the final blessing of the Abbot to the newly professed monks


the Liturgy of the Eucharist resumed after the lengthy Profession ceremonies