Our spiritual foundation is expressed in the principle of Ora et Labora or ‘Work and Prayer’ and our monastic tradition has always included a strong involvement with the local communities where we live. In the last century we spread our wings beyond our monasteries in Italy and today we are present in all five continents, namely Europe, Asia, America, Australia and most recently in Africa. Our new
est monastery, which stems from the monasteries of Bassano Romano and Giulianova in Italy, was founded in 2006 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) in Butembo. In Butembo, part of the monastery has been built and a chapel is in progress. We always welcome funds to aid these projects but more importantly we always look forward to receiving containers loaded with essential machinery and equipment. We also have a Technical school planned and in Mayombe work has begun to establish a base in Pointe Noire. The monks along with their local bishops engage in both the theological and spiritual formation of young African boys. Even in the great Africa, we plant the seeds of monastic life, a life according to the Rule of St. Benedict, which inspires men to a sense of purpose as they discover a practical call to follow Christ. In India, our work has spread from humble beginnings in Kerala, to places with predominantly Hindu and Muslim populations where Christians are a minority. Here our monasteries and schools are embraced as centres of spiritual enrichment and intellectual pursuit. In Makkiyad our mission includes a monastery, a novitiate, philosophy faculty, coffee & pepper, retreat house and a co-educational school. Here funds are needed: $20,000 for the hostel conversion. In the Arch Diocese of Bangalore, Vanashram we have a Theological Study House that also has needs. St Benedicts school in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, in the north of India is an English medium, co-educational, Higher Secondary school. The school with 2000 pupils and 60 staff needs a hall and classrooms worth $260,000, the upstairs classrooms are going to cost $170,000. It also needs admin facilities, toilets, etc. worth $65,000. Benhill Monastery, a daughter house of St Joseph’s Conventual Priory in Makkiyad needs $140,000 for the completion of the monastery, 3 sections upstairs for retreat use. Benhill School needs $550,000 for a kindergarten, $765,000 for an auditorium and $390,000 for a hostel. Ashir Sadan Ashram is another dependent house, located in the north-eastern part of the country. It runs a co-educational school, with about 370 students and 18 staff and needs $130,000 to build 10 classrooms, $50,000 for a retreat section in the Monastery, and $50,000 for a compound wall. In a region with a predominantly hindu population, ‘Navajeevan’, at Jaccampudi near the city of Vijayawada, is a flourishing mission. It has a co-educational school, with 810 students and 40 staff. Here we need $100,000 to repair and convert the original building as a retreat centre. In the Philippines, StBenedict’s Monastery was founded in 1999 and includes a formation house and pilgrim centre. Here there is a current need to build a Retreat House. In Sri Lanka, where our oldest mission was begun in 1845, we have successfully maintained our Catholic faith for over 200 years in purely, non-Catholic surroundings. However we need to rebuild Wahacotte mission house at a cost of $450,000. We also need to rebuild the Hostel and Orphanage and build a new St Benedict’s school. Our pastoral work in these communities benefits the lives of many men, women and children. As the need for more facilities and better infrastucture, for example, buildings, maintenance and repairs, skilled teachers and staff in these places grows, we find ourselves hindered by the lack of materials and funds. We need your spiritual and material help as we pray for the success and growth of all our schools, centres of theological study and monasteries around the world. Find out how you can help.
