Tran Van Thu Monastery opens

photos © Mark M. Hancock for The Texas Catholic

Abbot Philip Lawrence of the Christ In The Desert Benedictine Abbey in Albuquerque, N.M. (left) selects readings with Tran Van Thu (right) before the inaugural ceremony of the Benedictine Monastery of Thien Tam in Karens, Texas on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009.


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Celebrants gather in a large tent at the end of a country road before the inaugural ceremony of the Benedictine Monastery of Thien Tam in Karens, Texas.

Named in this slideshow are (in order of appearance): &nbsp Tony Nguyen, Tran Chieu, Abbot Philip Lawrence, Tran Van Thu, Bishop Kevin J. Farrell, Abbot Anselm Atkinson, Hoang Ngoc Quy, Matthew Tran and P. Valentin Tenos Bortrina.