The abbey includes the Faculdade de São Bento (St. Benedict Seminary), with courses in theology and philosophy that are recognized by the Ministry of Education.

[1] At the time, the monks were residing in a simple inn next to the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Our Lady of the Conception) near what is now called the Morro de São Bento .

St. Benedict was later added as an additional patron saint, and namesake, by order of the Junta Geral da Congregação Portuguesa (General Board of the Portuguese Congregation) in 1596.

All charitable donations, these tracts of land extended throughout the Captaincy of Rio de Janeiro, particularly in the regions of Nova Iguaçu and Campos dos Goytacazes.

[5] In 1893 Gerard van Caloen (1853-1932), a monk of Maredsous Abbey, was commissioned by Pope Leo XIII to help restore the monastic life of his fellow Benedictines in Brazil.

By a decree of the Sacred Congregation of the Consistory, 15 August 1907, Santa Maria de Monserrato was erected into an abbey nullius.

The same decree separated the District of Rio Branco from the Diocese of Amazones and subjected it to the jurisdiction of the Abbot of Santa Maria de Monserrato.

Besides the mission at Rio Branco, the monks had charge of the church at Alto Boa Vista, and extended pastoral care to the naval base on the Ilha das Cobras, as well as the garrison, prison, and hospital.

[7] Portuguese military engineer, Francisco Frias de Mesquita, drew up the plans for the building and oversaw its construction in 1617.

The façade was part of the original Mannerist project and featured a centralized edifice with three archways at the entrance, as well as a triangular gable.

King João VI established the Academia Real de Marinha (Royal Navak Academy) at São Bento.

One feature preserved by Pinto were the tiles depicting the lives of Benedictine saints, which were painted between 1676 and 1684 by German friar Ricardo do Pilar.

Other monks associated with the church include: Traditional Sunday mass at the Mosteiro de São Bento begins at 10am and is celebrated with organ music and Gregorian chanting.