Rev. Fr. Bennett Silva, T.O.R., a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Third Order Regular, Province of Our Lady of Lanka, Sri Lanka, died on October 11, 2023 at the Franciscan Friary, Wennappuwa, Sri Lanka.
Born on January 13, 1934 at Godigamuwa, Katana, the son of Lindamulage Emaliyanu Silva and Bandakkarage Luciya Silva. Fr. Bennett Silva was given the name Lindamulage Benedict Silva. He became a candidate for the Third Order Regular Franciscans on January 2, 1951. There, upon entrance into the novitiate on December 21, 1951, Lindamulage Benedict Silva, assumed the religious name Lindamulage Bennett Silva. Friar Bennett Silva professed his Temporary vows on December 21, 1952.
After his Temporary profession he assumed his first obedience to serve in the Franciscan Friary at Wennappuwa, there he continued his studies, from December 21, 1953 to 1957. In 1957 he was appointed as a Teacher at St. Vincent College, Maggona. After completing one year of teaching career, he made his Solemn Profession on December 21, 1958.
In 1959 he successfully completed his teacher training programme at Bolawalana Teacher Training Institute. Thereupon he was appointed to St. Vincent College, Maggona and for 10 years he had been teaching there as a teacher. In 1960 he was appointed as the Assistant Director of TOR Juniorate Maggona for 2 years. Then he was appointed as the Director of the TOR Juniorate, Maggona, where he faithfully served for almost 8 years with other Franciscan friars. In 1970 he was transferred to St. Mary’s College, Negombo. Meanwhile he assumed responsibility as the Director of TOR Juniorate, Bolawalana (1971). Then he was attached to Katuwapitiya community (1974).
From 1980 to 1982 he served as the Vicar General of the Indigenous Franciscan Order in Sri Lanka (Franciscan Brothers of the Vincent de Paul). In 1983 he was appointed as the Director of Child Development Center, Hewadiwela, there he continued his teaching career in one of the colleges of Salvation Army. After completing 36 years of teaching career in 1989 he retired from the post of teaching.
Then he was sent to the National Seminary of Our Lady of Lanka Sri Lanka on July 22, 1994 for priestly studies. Thereafter, he was ordained a priest at Our Lady of Presentation (St, Mary’s) Church, Bolwalana, Negombo. In 1995, Fr. Bnnett was appointed as the Parish Priest of St. Anthony’s Church, Kirapaddeniy, Balangoda. In 1998, Fr. Bennett was appointed as the Superior of the Franciscan Mother House, Maggona and the Novice Master of the Novitiate of TOR Franciscans in Sri Lanka.
From 2003 to 2014 he rendered a commendable service to the SFO in Sri Lanka as their Spiritual Director. Since 2014 he was residing in Franciscan Friary at Wennappuwa. Rev. Fr. Bennett Silva TOR, who served in his utmost capacity for the betterment of the province was called to eternal life on October 11, 2023.
Mass of Christian Burial for Rev. Fr. Bennett Silva was celebrated on October 13, 2023 at St. Francis Chapel, at Our Lady of Lanka Friary, Maggona with Very Rev.Fr. Rohan Wasantha, T.O.R., Minister Provincial as the chief Celebrant. Following the Mass, Rev. Fr. Bennett was buried at the Franciscan Cemetery, Maggona.