FIRST FOUNDATION IN SRI LANKA: 14th August 1845

The Benedictine presence came to Sri Lanka when the Sylvestrine monks came as missionaries under the auspices of Propaganda Fidei in August 1845. The first monk to set foot in Sri Lanka was Fr.Giuseppe Maria Bravi who was soon joined by other confreres.

The southern vicariate of Colombo was entrusted to the monks in 1857 and Mgr.Bravi became the first European Vicar Apostolic. At the request of the monks, the Colombo vicariate was divided and the monks took charge of the new diocese of Kandy in 1883. The monastery church in Kandy became the Cathedral of the new diocese.

The monastery of Monte Fano was established in 1927 primarily as a formation house. in 1972 the responsibility for the diocese was handed over to the diocesan clergy and the monastery church in Kandy was given to the diocese. This left Monte Fano as the main monastery of the Sylvestro Benedictine Priory in Sri Lanka. Today the Congregation has five monastic communities - three in parishes and the remainder are engaged in various types of apostolic activities.

More information can be assessed on our website

http://www.osbsrilanka.slt.lk

Our Address :

Very Rev.Fr.Prior Major
St.Sylvester's Monastery
Monte Fano
Ampitiya 20160
Kandy
Sri Lanka.

Tel: +94-81-2223684
Fax: +94-81-2235132
Email: montefano@yahoo.com