Two monks professed solemn vows, or vows for life, before Archabbot Douglas R. Nowicki, O.S.B., and the Benedictine community on July 11.

Brother Rafael Quesada, O.S.B., lived in Michigan and worked in the IT and web design industry. He is originally from the Philippines and is the son of Hector and Clare Quesada. He is a graduate of the University of the Philippines, earning a bachelor of science degree in industrial engineering in 1998.

He entered the novitiate of Saint Vincent Archabbey in 2011, made simple profession of monastic vows in 2012, and entered Saint Vincent Seminary in 2012. In 2012 he was named an assistant in computer technology, Archabbey websites, and served in that capacity through 2014. He has been assistant director, Archabbey guests and guest facilities since 2012. In 2013 he was named assistant in the summer retreat program. The following year he was appointed director of the Archabbey computer center, and in 2014 he was named as an assistant in the library.

Brother Matthew Nguyen, O.S.B., is the son of Thuc Van and Nam Be Thi Vo of Vinh Long, Vietnam. Born in 1980, he attended Hieu Phung High School, Vinh Long, graduating in 1999. In 1999, he entered Phuoc Son Abbey, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, Vietnam. On January 1, 2003, he took first vows as a Cistercian monk at Phuoc Son Abbey. He took final vows on April 22, 2006.

On December 22, 2006, he came to the United States, and from 2007 to 2009 he served at Saint Joseph Monastery, Lucerne Valley, California.

In the fall of 2009, Brother Matthew began studies at Saint Vincent Seminary.

On May 16, 2011, he was approved to begin the process of transferring his monastic stability to Saint Vincent Archabbey, and on May 11, 2015, he was approved for completion of the canonical transfer process, professed solemn vows on July 11.

From 2012 to 2013 he served as an assistant to the prior of Saint Vincent Archabbey. In 2013 he was named miller at the Saint Vincent Gristmill.