June 13, 2009 is a day most memorable in the annals of the Monastery of the Transfiguration. After having served as Prior-Administrator of the monastery for eight years, Fr. Savio Ma. Siccuan OSB was elected Conventual Prior by the Chapter members, i.e., the solemnly professed monks.

The election was held under the watchful eyes of our Visitators, Abbot Tarcisio Narcisio OSB (Abbot Visitor) and Abbot Filomeno Cinco OCSO (Co-Visitor). Upon notification of the result of the election that morning, Abbot Bruno Marin OSB (Abbot President of the Subiaco Congregation of the Order of St. Benedict) along with his Council in Rome, confirmed Fr. Savio as the duly elected Conventual Prior of the Monastery of the Transfiguration. Right after Vespers, Abbot Tarcisio Narcisio OSB installed Fr. Savio as Conventual Prior in the presence of the monastic community.

It was on August 6, 2009, Feast of Our Lord's Transfiguration that Bishop Honesto Pacana, Ordinary of the diocese of Malaybalay, blessed Fr. Savio as Conventual Prior of the Monastery of the Transfiguration in the presence of Abbot Tarcisio Narcisio OSB (Abbot Visitor), Fr. Anscar Chupungco OSB (Paul VI Institute of Liturgy Director), members of the clergy from Malaybalay, religious sisters and brothers, and select friends of the monastery. That afternoon saw the unveiling of the liturgical vestments collection of our very own Dom Martin Gomez OSB in the new monastery museum. This vestments collection will be an added draw for many people to come and be captivated by the splendor of the Monastery of the Transfiguration. 

Finally, t was an early Christmas for us in the Monastery of the Transfiguration as no less than the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Joseph Adams, paid us a visit last November 17, 2009. His coming to the monastery was part of his pastoral visit to Bukidnon. As the Holy Father's envoy, he comes to fufill the Pope's desire to visit all the local churches in the world. The Nuncio came with Bishop Honesto Pacana, Msgr. Giorgio Chezza (the Nuncio's secretary), and a handful of clergy from the diocese. They all joined us for Vespers (Evening Prayer) in church followed by a welcome address from the Prior, Fr. Savio Ma. Siccuan OSB. The Nuncio then gave his address to the monastic community in which he exhorted us to be faithful to our life of prayer each day and yet not close our eyes to the reality of life outside the monastery walls. The evening was capped by a sumptuous banquet inside the monastery cloister. The Nuncio's deep appreciation for all the hospitality he received cannot be concealed as he described the lovely evening as "exquisitely Benedictine." And he expressed his desire to return to the monastery in the near future.