Most Rev Dr Shamindra Jayawardena OSB receives abbatial blessing in Kandy
On 21st July 2025 in a solemn ceremony held at St. Anthony’s cathedral in Kandy, Most Reverend Dr. Shamindra Jayawardena OSB Silv. received the abbatial blessing by His Eminence Mario Cardinal Grech, the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops and officially started his ministry as the new Abbot General of the Sylvestrine Congregation of the Benedictine Order (Sylvestrines).
His election as the new Abbot General took place on 28th May 2025 at the Montefano monastery in Ampitiya, the first-ever general chapter to be held outside of Italy in the Sylvestrines congregation's long history since its foundation in 1231.
The homily was delivered by His Lordship Bishop Vianney Fernando, the bishop emeritus of Kandy.
In his homily the prelate briefed about the great service done by the Sylvestrine monks in Sri Lanka since 14th August 1845 with the arrival of a young sylvestro benedictine monk named Giuseppe Maria Bravi from Italy (who will later become the second Apostolic Vicar of Colombo in 1857).
“Srilankan catholics and non-catholics benefited from the missionary service of many sylvestro benedictine monks who lead our local Church; I recall their Lordships Hilarion Silani and Clemente Pagnani and now your religious order requests your service to the world: you are not alone! Jesus is with you!” the bishop said.
After the solemn blessing imparted by Mario Cardinal Grech, Abbot Shamindra received a copy of the Rule of Saint Benedict of which he will be protector and evangelizer, a ring, a mitre, and a crozier: signs of the abbot's authority.
At the conclusion His Eminence Mario Cardinal Grech congratulated the new Abbot general and adviced him to keep in mind his vow for a faithful and successful service to the people of God.
Most Rev. Shamindra Jayawardena will have to oversee 25 religious houses (churches and monasteries) all around the world and more than 200 monks.
The event saw a large participation of bishops, priests, nuns and lay faithful.
We wish him all the best in his new appointment! Vivat novus Abbas!
written by Riccardo Nelumdeniya