From Novice to Brother
A Sanctuary of Faith and Education
Nestled in the northern part of Colombo, Sri Lanka, stands a grand monastery, a testament to the Catholic faith. Built in the late 1850s by European clergymen, it’s a place of serenity and education. The entrance, adorned with an arch, welcomes everyone with dignity and peace.
A Place of Tranquillity
Inside this sacred place, there’s a designated area for a statue of Baby Jesus, a symbol of hope and innocence. There’s also a tranquil area dedicated to Mary, his mother. The large chapel, the centrepiece of this complex, stands like a silent guardian. This place is more than a house of prayer; it’s a beautiful melody of stone and sea echoing through the years.
The grand building is designed to allow the cool sea breeze to flow through the arches day and night. A large green lawn at the centre unites the entire complex and creates a sense of devotion. Even the walls seem to resonate with the prayers offered here for years.
A Community of Learners
Inside the monastery are statues of saints, including Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and De La Salle, whom the monastery is named after. At the entrance, a school serves as a beacon of hope for the children of the city’s workers, particularly those from less affluent Catholic families. These children attend De La Salle College, named after the founder of the religious order in France.
Within this complex, a vibrant community of about fifty boys aged thirteen to nineteen lives. They live, study, play sports, and learn about religious and virtuous living. Each boy has a desk, a bed, linens, schoolbooks, and stationery. The diverse group has boys excelling in sports, academics, and English proficiency. However, not all the boys are academically gifted.
The boys come from various backgrounds, some privileged and some underprivileged. Despite their differences, they all embark on a journey to become Christian brothers of the De La Salle order. Their path is set to become teachers and community leaders in Catholic schools across Sri Lanka. Each boy called a novice, weaves their own unique story into the fabric of this community.
Distinctions Among the Boys
There are some distinctions among the novices. Boys from underprivileged communities who lack English and academic skills attend the De La Salle College at the front of the monastery complex. The more fortunate boys, who are proficient in English and academics, are sent to a prestigious Catholic school a few kilometres away. There, they are provided with a nutritious daily lunch and the opportunity to interact with children from affluent backgrounds. This allows them to broaden their social circles and gain exposure to diverse experiences.
Further distinctions exist between the age groups. Some senior boys aged over seventeen live separately from the younger boys. They have their dormitory and dine together.
Departures and New Beginnings
Every three months, the boys are sent home on school holidays. Some do not return after the holidays, either fetched by their parents or dismissed due to a lack of progress in their studies or inadequate social graces.
The eldest boys are eventually sent to Penang or Tuticorin to become young Christian brothers, called postulants. Meanwhile, the Christian brothers in the adjoining building live, teach, administer, study, and rule the monastery.
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