50 golden years of priesthood of very Rev. Fr. Thomas de Zilva OSB

Very Rev. Fr. Thomas de Zilva OSB of St. Thomas' College, Matale, celebrates his 50th, Golden Jubilee, of his priestly life with his fellow Benedictine monks, family members and friends at St. Sylvester's Monastery, Monte Fano, Ampitiya.

Father Thomas is the son of George and Ethel de Zilva of Matale. He is the 6th of the 12 children of the de Zilva family. He was educated at St. Thomas' College, Matale. The two Benedictine stalwarts of the yesteryears in the caliber of Rev. Fathers Dunstand Barsenbech OSB and Franco Perini OSB, who were Pastors of St. Thomas' Church Matale, nurtured his vocation.

Entering the Sylvestro Benedictine Congregation in 1947, Fr. Thomas made his Profession in 1948 and was ordained priest in May 1955. Soon after his ordinations he was entrusted with the mission of guiding the young ones at St. Anthony's College, Kandy and at the Benedictine Fathers hostel for 13 long years. He was also entrusted with the mission of helping the Pastors at St. Anthony's Cathedral in Kandy and at St. Anthony's Church in Wahacotte.

He was then chosen for formation apostolate and was master of junior monks at Monte Fano and then Novice Master at Adisham. He then served for 13 years as Conventual Prior of the Sylvestro Benedictine Monks in Sri Lanka and for a period of 12 years as General Councillor at the general curia in Rome. Rev. Fr. Cletus Perera OSB, the present Conventual Prior said at the Holy Mass that Fr. Thomas de Zilva was a strong personality and a man with a great deal of will - power and determination.

He was a strict disciplinarian but a person, sensitive to the needs and problems of others. Though he was chosen to hold high offices in the Congregation, he was simple and unassuming. He commands the respect of his fellow religious and priests both within the congregation and outside, as a disciplined and serious minded person who genuinely strives to live his monastic and priestly lives faithfully.

His Lordship Bishop Vianney Fernando, the Bishop of Kandy and the President of the Catholic Bishop's Conference in Sri Lanka preaching at the Jubilee Mass commented on the committed monastic and priestly life of Fr. Thomas. He said that such life is possible only when it is followed and lived in the family.

The parents and the family members of Fr. Thomas were devoted Catholics and that the parents fulfilled the obligations placed on their shoulders - to bring forth and bring up their children. A good and holy vocation is had from holy parents. He continued to state that the duty of the parents to bring up the children was ably supported by the school authorities at St. Thomas' College, Matale.

Thus they have to work hand in glow for the production of vocations for priesthood and religious life. Fr. Thomas de Zilva was a monk of many parts. While at School he took part in sports and that was handy for him when he was appointed to guide the young ones at St. Anthony's College in Kandy. He took part in sports activities and was also the prefect of sports for quite a long time. He was also a good teacher at the classroom, which meant that he demanded much from the students.

As formatter in the monastery the juniors learned more from his exemplary life than his teaching. Hence more and more religious and priests flocked to him to learn the finer points of Christian and Priestly life.

He was also a friend of the poor and needy. He always had a heart for them and he liked to spend time talking to them and trying to help them in what ever way he could. At present Fr. Thomas spends the evening of his life with the monks at Monte Fano.

His presence is of great importance to the young monks who are following a programme of formation. We, monks in Sri Lanka are proud and honoured to have a Priest Monk of the calibre of Fr. Thomas de Zilva. We wish Fr. Thomas Ad Multos Annos.

- Fr. Clement Gnanapragasam OSB