In 1895 a group of Benedictine monks from the Abbey of Montserrat, Barcelona, Spain came to the Philippines to work in Mindanao, in missions turned over to them by the Society of Jesus. However, following the Philippine Revolution from 1896 to 1898 and the Philippine American War from 1898 to 1901, the monks gradually withdrew their missions. They turned over the last of their missions to the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart in 1909, they established themselves in Manila and opened a school. Early in 1981, the Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat made known its plans to put up a foundation in Mindanao. Rt. Rev. Eduardo Ma. Africa, O.S.B., informed the Most Rev. Francisco Claver, S.S., Bishop of Malaybalay, about the plan. At once, the bishop offered two sites in Bukidnon. Two other sites were offered by the friends of the Benedictine community.

On August 6, 1981, Solemnity of the Transfiguration, a survey headed by Abbot Eduardo Africa visited the site in San Jose, Malaybalay, Bukidnon. After careful study, the team decided that San Jose would be the most suitable place. On September 14, 1981, the Conventual Chapter of the Benedictine Abbey approved the establishment of a foundation in Bukidnon and authorized the acceptance of the land offered by the Bishop as well as the purchase of the adjacent property. Architect Cecilio Maceren of Cagayan de Oro drew up the plans of the monastery. Construction started in July 1982. Archabbot Notker Wolfe, O.S.B., and the community of the Archabbey of St. Otillien donated the bells of the monastery. Then, there were Rev. Fr. Columbano Adag, O.S.B., Dom Marcos Salvana, O.S.B., Dom Henry Victor, O.S.B., and Dom Francisco Hubilla, O.S.B., who set up  residence on the site, to personally oversee the construction, from the first beam to the last nail. Dom Gabriel Asejo, O.S.B., later joined the group. On April 2, 1983, Holy Saturday, Fr. Abbot Africa appointed Rev. Paulino Macaraeg, O.S.B., Prior of the Monastery and Rev. Columbano Adag, O.S.B., Subprior. On August 6, 1983, the Monastery of the Transfiguration was blessed and inaugurated in solemn rites during the canonical visitation of Rt. Rev. Dennis Huerre, O.S.B., Abbot President of the Subiaco Congregation and Rev. Mark Butlin, O.S.B., of Ampleforth Abbey, England.

The Monastery of the Transfiguration became autonomous on January 25, 1986. It is a community composed of monks who vowed to follow the Rule of St. Benedict by living a contemplative life in their quest for God. The community observes the traditional horarium which consists of prayer(seven times during the day), manual labor and spiritual reading.