At the dawn of the nineteenth century, the primary jurist of Ceylon Sir Alexander full general initiated of granting the liberty of worship to the Catholics WHO were below the Dutch ill-treatment. The advance of Catholics was boosted up by the "Act of Freedom" publicised in 1806 throughout the govt of His Excellency Thomas historian. This act that noted the Catholics as "a various and peaceable body" gave this minority cluster the proper to open faculties for his or her kids.
Sir Alexander full general, WHO was thought-about because the patron of the Catholics’ then in Ceylon, had inspired the Oratorian father, WHO primarily administrated the non secular wants of the Catholic community. With nice hopes subscriptions had been collected however nothing definite had been done until Ceylon came to the erected into a brand new vicarship Apostolic in 1834. It had been connected to fowl since 1557.
With the creation of capital of Sri Lanka vicarship, decreasing hopes were revived to start out an establishment for English education for the Catholic kids This enthusiasm for English education bore fruit. In 1837 His Excellency Sir Henry M. Robert Wilmot Horton helped the bishop of Ceylon with a donation of £ fifty for the primary parochial school within the island. Hence, on May 15, 1839, the long cherished dream of the Catholics came true. The Roman Catholic Seminary – the college that was destined to become St. Benedict’s faculty – was declared open on Wolfendhal Street by its patron Rt. Rev. Dr. Vincente First State Rosario, Bishop of Tamocene and bishop of capital of Sri Lanka. ‘The Seminary’ because the college was referred to as in those days, was for superior English education. The school’s initial principal was AN Irelander, M. songwriter WHO was assisted by 2 deputies and a committee of fourteen. For quite durable the Seminary had 3 lecturers. at the start it numbered eighty students of whom sixty eight were Roman Catholics, eleven Christians of different denominations, and one Muslim. attending enlarged a hundred and forty four in 1843 and to 152 in 1845. in step with Governer’s Blue books named the college in numerous ways in which. initially it absolutely was referred to as the Roman Catholic Missionary society Seminary in capital of Sri Lanka (1845 to 1849), then it absolutely was referred to as the Cottanchina college (1850 to 1853) and once more it absolutely was named the Seminary at Cottanchina (1854-1859). By 1859, the 20th year of its existence, still directed by 3 lecturers, the pupils had enlarged to 211. the college had a Sinhalese principal, H.F. Sales, since 1846, WHO supervised the college till the appearance of the First State La Salle Brothers.
On the thirteenth day of February 1863 the muse stone was arranged of a brand new faculty to be referred to as St. Benedict’s. According AN eye-witness and newsperson to the ‘Examiner’ the inscription of the corner stone browse in Latin,
"This corner stone of St. Benedict’s faculty was arranged by his lordship Rt. Rev. Charles Hyacintus Valerga of St. Elias, Bishop of Miriofide, and bishop of Quilon and administrator of capital of Sri Lanka, within the presence of Rev. M. Caetano and capital of Sri Lanka, within the presence of Rev. M. Caetano and Rev. Sillani on the thirteenth day of February 1863"
During the ceremony Rev. Milliani delivered AN impressice speech on the topic of education. He notably embraced the word ‘Seminarium’ which suggests a set of seeds, and aforementioned he hoped the seeds seeded within the faculty would bring on sensible and plentiful fruit.
The Sylvestro-Benedictines planned the buildings of the faculty within the variety of AN Italian Benedictine religious residence. In 1865 the buildings were completed. 1866 H.F. Sales emotional in with the pupils of the Seminary. throughout this year 368 boys and a hundred and seventy ladies and four lecturers appear to own been housed along within the new faculty – St. Benedict’s. Rev. Sillani, WHO had received episcopal consecration then, wrote to the general of the Brothers of Christian faculties – usually referred to as First State La Salle Brothers – to require charge of St. Benedict’s faculty capital of Sri Lanka. But Rev. Bro. general wasn't during a position of granting the request of Bishop of capital of Sri Lanka, thanks to lack of English speaking Brothers.
The Vicar’s disappointment was, however, temporary for within the Dec of that year 3 First State La Salle Brothers WHO were on their homeward journey to France from Mangalore disembarked at Galle and visited capital of Sri Lanka. Bishop Silliani profited by the prospect to coax the 3 Brothers, Hidulphus, Ulfin Daniel, ANd Hermelard Leo to remain and enter into an agreement with him to require charge of the faculty. They were practiced and trained teacher s from France, and had instructed in faculties for a few time in Culcutta, Malabar and Asian nation in turn.
Brother Hidulphus became the Director of the Community of the 3 Brothers and school principal of the faculty. Later it absolutely was reportable that Bro. John, AN Irelander, had came across St. Benedict’s and there have been, therefore, four Brothers, with many native assistants assiduously engaged in their work of education at the faculty. thanks to the difficulties of understanding of English of French accent of the Brothers, they withdraw their service and went back to Europe. however a brand new team of Brothers was sent by Bro. general at the earnest request of Bishop Sillani, and that they formally took charge of St. Benedict’s on first could 1868, below the leadership of Bro. Pastoris. The new cluster of teaching Brothers were Cyprian, Aloysius, Peter, Frederick and Benedict. within the employees list no mention was created within the same year. the primary official director of St. Benedict’s was Bro. Modeste Marie, a German WHO had start to the East in 1856 as a La Sallian missionary.
Since then throughout past 148 years this illustrious Catholic institute of education has served the country below the privileged patronage of St. Benedict. Since then administration was formally two-handed over to the La Sallian Brothers, following the ideals of their Founder, specializer, defender of lecturers, St. John Baptist First State LA Salle are nurturing the young confided to them following each Benedictine and La Sallian ideals.
‘Bearing the Cross with the Crown in view’ goes the ultimate line of the faculty anthem thoughtfully sung by over 2800 student frequently, reflective the philosophy of the 148 year Old Catholic establishment, that has no any substitution of comparable calibre. Cradled below the shadow of the imposing dome of St. Lucia’s Cathedral of the capital of Sri Lanka diocese, this pioneer institute of education, virtually metaphorically settled on the highest – of a hill, sort of a light-house showing the directions for the young WHO flip towards to seek out their manner.
Currently, the coed strength has reached 2800 and also the employees exceeds a hundred twenty five together with five First State La Salle Brothers. the faculty provides all facilities, activities and constituents for a holistic education. Following the laws of the Department of Education, all 3 mediums – Sinhala, Tamil & English – area unit accessible in each standard Level and Advance Level sections. English because the medium of instruction was preluded by government policy in 1960’s, presently permissible to be a medium of instruction having practiced several drawbacks of the prevailing system of education. faculties like St. Benedict’s continuously maintain high standards of English education that is of a overriding importance within the globalized world.
Many avenues area unit opened for the youngsters to induce them trained in western &oriental music, singing, stage performances, scouting, IT and laptop acquirement, media and communication, speech and speech craft and social and spiritual activities etc. Skillful trainers and coaches of an expert customary lay foundations for the beginners and trims the sides of the senior teams.
Under the ready stalwartship of gift Director, Rev. Bro. Janaka Fonseka FSC, this historic and pioneer institute of education heads toward prosperity whereas restitution its glory. The recent Boys’ Union, that has several foreign branches in numerous countries, the faculty Development Fund, Welfare Society, recent Boys’ Sports Club, several different associations and supporting bodies have railed spherical for the well being of the school. every and each Benedictine of young and recent bleeds inexperienced and dreams a reign of true Bendeictine values; Religio – Mores – Cultura – because the faculty shibboleth explains to be devoted to one’s creed and live upto the ethical values and ethics of our culture.
Live St. Benedict’s in our hearts – Forever!
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