Fr. Gregory places his hands in Abbot Philip’s hands as sign of obedience when Fr. Gregory makes his solemn vows.
On December 12, 2015, on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dom Gregory Vu, made his Solemn Monastic Profession and Consecration and became a Benedictine Monk of Christ in the Desert. Fr. Gregory grew up in Vietnam and had first come to the United States in 1990 and joined the Redemptorist Congregation in 1995. He was ordained to the priesthood as a Redemptorist priest in 2007 in Texas. Feeling called to the contemplative monastic life, he came to the Monastery of Christ in the Desert in 2012, and after more than three years in our community made his Solemn Vows.
Fr. Gregory receives the blessings of the final professed monks of our community.
Fr. Gregory was covered with the pall to signify death to the world and his living for Christ.
On the occasion of his Monastic Profession, Fr. Gregory was joined by his mother, his sister, many friends and three Vietnamese priests from our Archdiocese of Santa Fe. It was a joyous occasion for the monks of the Monastery and all of the guests. There was wonderful Vietnamese food served after the Mass of Profession.
Fr. Gregory sings “Suscipe me, Domine…”
During the liturgy, Fr. Gregory stood before the altar, in the presence of Christ and all present, and made his vows. Abbot Philip said, “My son in Christ, for some time you have lived with us, seeking God’s will for you. In the name of our community and of the whole Church I will now question you about your intention to embrace our life through solemn vows.” Abbot proceeded to ask, “Through Baptism you consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Do you wish to consecrate yourself more closely to God in the monastic life? Do you intend to leave all in order to follow Christ and to witness to him by the conversion of your life? Do you promise to practice obedience towards the father of the monastery and your brethren in Christ?” To each question, Fr. Gregory clearly answered, “I do.” Fr. Gregory then prostrated and was covered with the pall to signify death to the world and his living for Christ, while the entire congregation sang the litany of the saints. Fr. Gregory then knelt before the Abbot who clothed him with the monastic cowl saying, “May the Lord clothe you with the new self, created after the likeness of God in true innocence and holiness.” Then Abbot Philip joyfully announced to all those present that Fr. Gregory was now a finally professed member of the Monastery of Christ in the Desert. 
Fr. Gregory with Abbot Philip Lawrence
Fr. Gregory with his Vietnamese priest friends and all priests of our monastery.
Fr. Gregory with his mother and sister
Fr.Gregory was asked to express his feelings and thoughts about his Monastic Profession and said, “I felt the blessings and love I received from all of those present and as I received my kiss of peace from each of the monks, my heart was filled with joy. I felt a real sense of belonging to this monastic community, for all of us will now live in common with one and another. Then Abbot Philip extended a number of special blessing upon me as the congregation responded ‘Amen’ to each blessing. I know that I am blessed to have celebrated this day on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe and I prayed that she would shine upon me every day of my life.”
Ad multos annos, Fr. Gregory!