Newspaper: Messenger Sri Lanka’s Catholic Weekly Founded 1869

Article: Platinum Jubilee of Monte Fano Published: 24th November 2002

Monte Fano may not be the cynosure of all eyes, but in the eyes of God, it is a powerhouse of prayer, meeting available opportunities for all comers who seek the companionship of God.

1927-1977 “Benedict wooed the mountains, Sylvester loved the woods” Would it then be surprising that way back in 1927, exactly seventy five years ago, the sons of Benedict and Sylvester, led by their Superior Major, Very Rev.Fr. D Bonfilius Galassi OSB, who was also the Vicar General of the Kandy Diocese, chose to move into surroundings which would have gladdened the monastic hearts of both St. Benedict and St. Sylvester? The purchase of this land was no easy affair. However, with the help of God and the assistance of the then Ordinary of Kandy, Bishop Beekmeyer, himself an eminent son of St. Sylvester, who took a keen interest in the affairs of the congregation, the Superior Major was able to purchase a secluded “Walauwa” and gradually move in with his small cenobitic band. Situated on the outskirts of Kandy, in a typical rural setting, Monte Fano, the Mother House of the Sylvestro- of Sri Lanka, stands in perfect harmony with its surroundings. Simple, yet majestic in appearance, it does lend enchantment to the landscape. Its remoteness from the city provides the seclusion and peace necessary for prayer and study, which the seek and its salubrious climate and fertile soil keep the inmates healthy and vigorous. Visitors to the monastery have found the atmosphere awe-inspiring, but to the monks, it is their home on earth, in which is found a truly fraternal spirit and the near hundredfold, which Christ promised to those who, having left their homesteads and their possessions chose to follow Him in a life of dedicated service. The House was blessed on the 25th November 1927, by the Prior Major, and the next day, which happened to be the feast of the Founder of the Sylvestro-Benedictines, St. Sylvester Guzzolini, Fr. D. Hildebrand Van Reyk OSB, the Master of Novices celebrated Holy Mass for the first time and brought into being “Monte Fano”, a haven for the sons of St. Sylvester. On the 28th May 1928, Monte Fano was recognized as a “Domus Formata” with the special privilege of having only two resident monks. The first Community consisted of six professed monks and two postulants with Fr.D.Hildebrand Van Reyk at their head as Master of Novices and local Superior. This small community continued to live in the old reconditioned “Walauwa” for more than a year. Work on the new building commenced in January, 1932. Under the supervision of Dom Hildebrand, a master craftsman, the community of monks did yeoman service in an effort to move into better quarters by Eastertide of the same year. With the completion of the new block, which was used as residential quarters, the last vestiges of the "Walauwa" began to disappear to make room for a modest Chapel and a Refectory. Not very long after this initial breakthrough, building operations at Monte Fano went on rapidly with regular shifts of the Chapel, refectory and parlour. The extension of the buildings was necessitated by the steady inflow of vocations, which eventually slowed down during the Second World War. However, after the lean years which coincided with the war years there was an encouraging influx of vocations from the far off shores of Kerala, South India. The General. R.Rev. Dom Hildebrand Gregori OSB, during his visit in 1949, approved plans for a new Chapel. There after the monks lost no time in providing themselves with a much felt need. The foundation stone was laid and work on the new Chapel got underway on the feast of St. Sylvester, 1949. The hopes of the Community to have it completed in time to celebrate the feast of St Sylvester the following year were not fully realized. However, a few weeks later, on the 19th December 1950, the new Chapel was blessed by the incumbent Bishop of Kandy, Bishop Regno, himself a son of St.Sylvester, and Mass for the first time was offered on the following day. This building, which serves as the Monastery Chapel even today, stands as a fitting tribute to the originality and artistry of Very Rev.Dom Romuald Baldarelli, the erstwhile Superior Major of Monte Fano. It is very attractively built on a typical Kandyan pattern, and fits the environment to a tee. Visitors to the Monastery are often baffled at the novelty of the architecture. The Chapel consists of a long aisle, with choir stalls on either side, a long parallel verandah, with two octagonal towers, one on each side, a Kandyan style roof and pillars to match. The Sanctuary is exquisite, in spite of or because of its simplicity. The present Altar of Repose, which includes many facets of local art, was a later addition. With the flow of time, the Community increased considerably and a new block was added in 1957 to house the Scholastics. This was during the tenure of office of Dom Gregory Phoebus OSB. Thereafter, a much felt need was served with the addition of yet another block in 1962, during the Superior-Majorship of Dom Simon Tonini OSB, who later led the congregation as Abbot General. With the flow of time. the Community increased considerably and a new block was added in 1957 to house the Scholastics. This was during the tenure of office of Dom Gregory Phoebus OSB. Thereafter, a much felt need was served Monte Fano the with the addition of yet another block in 1962, during the Superior-Majorship of Dom Simon Tonini OSB, who later led the Congregation as Abbot General. Monte Fano, being a house of formation for monks, there is a regular outflow of monks into various fields of activity after their ordination. This accounts for the fact that Monte Fano never has large numbers, which is just as well, because the spirit of family living comes easy to smaller groups. In the early sixties. the monks from Kerala, were forced by circumstances beyond our control to return to their native shores. This was because the Government decided to refuse the extension of visas to foreign missionaries. Could this have been a blessing in disguise? Whatever it was, it certainly was in no way an obstacle to the work of God. Our monks found Kerala a very fertile ground for vocations, and today they compare very favourably, number- wise, with any of our other foundations. God's ways are certainly inscrutable. 1977-2002 Just before we celebrated the Golden Jubilee at Monte Fano in 1977, we suffered an irreparable loss in the demise of our dear Bishop Bernard Regno OSB, who was a tower of strength to all of us at Monte Fano, in more ways than one. His exemplary life, his abstemious ways, his attentive prayerfulness was not lost on us and with his passing away, we were deeply grieved despite the fact that we were convinced that he was with God, enjoying the peace that his soul craved for. Almost immediately after his death, a near miracle took place at Monte Fano, where preparations were under way to celebrate the Golden Jubilee, albeit on a low key. We had need for funds to give the Monastery a face lift, and our resources were rather low. While praying for Bishop Regno, and the safe repose of his soul, we also spoke to him of our problems. Our prayers were answered almost immediately. Two days after his burial, we received a cheque from Grindlay’s Bank for a princely sum of Rs. 10,000/- drawn in favour of Bishop Regno himself. On enquiry, we learned that an English planter-friend of the Bishop, who was unable to take all his money away to England on retirement, had left it in a Bank here in Sri Lanka, to be doled out to various charities whenever the need arose. The planter himself, then a nonagenarian, was living an impoverished life, in a home for elders in England. On being contacted, the Bank released the money with no fuss at all, well in time for the celebrations. We are certainly convinced that this was no mere coincidence. In 1982, two other Benedictine stalwarts were called to their heavenly homeland. One was Bishop Leo Nanayakkara OSB, the other Dom Lawrence Hyde OSB. In May 1983, by decree of the General Chapter, held in , Monte Fano took on a new identity. It was named a Conventual Priory of St. Sylvester, Abbot. On the 9th February, 1989, a new Retreat Centre was opened at Monte Fano, to meet the demands of people who sought a Benedictine environment to refresh their thirsting souls. In August 1995, a Thanksgiving Service was solemnly celebrated at the Kandy Cathedral, the onetime Abbatial Church of the Sylvestro-Benedictines, to thank and praise God for 150 years of the Benedictine mission and presence in Sri Lanka. Eight bishops and the Abbot General, assisted by over a hundred priests concelebrated Mass, in the presence of over 200 religious and a multitude of the faithful. To mark this milestone in the history of the Church in Sri Lanka. a symposium was conducted at Monte Fano. which was well attended by invitees from various religious Congregations. The celebrations included the laying of a foundation stone for a new block of buildings at Monte Fano to cater to the desires of many who sought to be alone with God. In 1996. yet another milestone was established in Sri Lankan and Benedictine history, when the new Abbot General, Rt. Rev. Dom Andrea Pantaloni OSB elected in Rome, decided to have the Abbatial blessing conducted locally at St. Anthony's Cathedral, Kandy. This same year, on the 9th April, we saw the blessing of the new wing of the extended Retreat House at Monte Fano. Contemporary culture seems to drift away from God, with people living lives arbitrarily, as if God did not exist. Reference to God is not a priority in their moral decisions or life's options. People also do not appreciate that true human freedom means not doing what one likes, but walking in the light of faith, following God's law and obeying God's will. Fr. Dom Anselm Fonseka OSB was head of the congregation in Sri Lanka. There is, however, clear evidence of people's souls thirsting for God. A growing number of people are seeking methods of prayer and meditation, and showing avid interest in the things of the Spirit. God is being recognized as relevant, after all. Contemporary culture can learn much from the “School of the Lord's Service" which every monastery is said to be. Benedictine spirituality emphasizes moderation. It maintains a healthy balance between work and prayer, austerity and gentleness, obedience and freedom, asceticism and reasonable care of the body. A balanced approach to life, including the spiritual life, is a contribution that Benedictine spirituality can offer. St. Benedict has been rightly described as "a luminary for all ages". Spiritual solidarity, hospitality, attitude towards work, contribution to education and cultural development and simplicity are all part of the Benedictine bandwagon. Contemporary culture owes much to Benedictine spirituality and can continue to be enriched by it. Joan Chittister observes: "The monastic heart does not belong only to monks or mystics or hermits or ascetics. The monastic heart belongs to all seekers who are single minded about life, who are given to one thing, and one thing alone - the Glory of God - God's presence here, now, everywhere, in everything and in everyone. Monte Fano may not be the cynosure of all eyes, but in the eyes of God, it is a powerhouse of prayer, making available opportunities for all-comers who seek the companionship of God.

FR. DOM STEPHEN OSB