Sylvestrines facts for kids
 Emblem of the Sylvestrine Congregation of the Benedictine Order
|
|
| Abbreviation | O.S.B. Silv. |
|---|---|
| Formation | c. AD 1231 |
| Founder | Sylvester Gozzolini |
| Type | Catholic religious order |
| Headquarters | Italy |
The Sylvestrines are a special group of monks who belong to the Order of St Benedict. They are also known as the Sylvestrine Congregation. These monks use the initials O.S.B. Silv. after their names.
The Sylvestrine Congregation was started in 1231 by a man named Sylvester Gozzolini. They are part of a larger group called the Benedictine Confederation. Unlike some other monk groups, their homes (called monasteries) are not usually big abbeys. This helps them stay focused on their spiritual life. The whole group is led by one main leader called an abbot general. He is the only abbot in the group and watches over all their monasteries.
Contents
The Story of the Sylvestrines
How the Order Began
The Sylvestrine order was founded by Sylvester Gozzolini (1177–1267). He was born in a town called Osimo in Italy. When he was young, he joined a group of religious men called Augustinian canons. He later became a priest in that group.
Around 1227, Sylvester decided to live a very simple, quiet life by himself. But soon, many people wanted to follow him. So, in 1231, he built a small religious home, or hermitage, near a mountain called Montefano.
Official Approval and Growth
The group Sylvester started followed the Rule of St. Benedict. This rule is a guide for how monks should live. However, Sylvester's group was much stricter about being poor than most other Benedictine monks at that time.
In 1247, Pope Innocent IV officially approved the new group. He called them the Ordo S. Benedicti de Montefano. When Sylvester died in 1267, there were already eleven Sylvestrine monasteries. At their busiest time, they had 56 monasteries. Most of these were in central Italy.
One famous church, San Marco in Florence, used to belong to the Sylvestrines. But in 1437, they moved to a smaller church. Like many religious groups, the Sylvestrines faced challenges in the 1800s. This was due to big changes in Europe, like the French Revolutionary Army and the unification of Italy.
Their main house was the Monastery of Santo Stefano del Cacco in Rome. It was started in 1563 and became the main center for the group. Some important Sylvestrines include the founder, Sylvester Gozzolini, and others like Blessed Giovanni del Bastonne.
Spreading Around the World
For most of their history, the Sylvestrines stayed in Italy. But in 1845, they started their first mission outside Europe in British Ceylon (which is now Sri Lanka). They helped provide many priests for that area for a long time.
Sylvestrines in the United States
The Sylvestrines also have monasteries in the United States. The first two monks arrived in Atchison, Kansas, in 1910. They helped the many workers in the coal industry there. As the coal industry changed, the monks looked for a new home.
In 1928, they were welcomed into the Archdiocese of Detroit. They built their first monastery in the U.S. there in 1938. It's called St Benedict of Oxford Monastery and is the main center for the order in the United States. They also have another monastery called Holy Face Monastery in Clifton, New Jersey.
Global Presence
In 1962, a monastery was started in Australia near Sydney. This was done by an Italian monk who had been serving in Sri Lanka. Now, there are also Sylvestrine monasteries in India. More recently, new groups have been set up in the Philippines and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Sylvestrines Today
For most of their history, the Sylvestrine monks worked on their own. But in 1973, they joined the Benedictine Confederation. This means they are now part of the larger Benedictine family worldwide. This connection helps them work together with other Benedictine groups.
As of 2020, there are three Sylvestrine monasteries in Italy. These are in Montefano, Bassano, and Giulianova. On May 28, 2019, Father Antony Puthenpurackal became the abbot general of the congregation.
The monks wear a special uniform called a habit. Their habit is dark blue, which is different from most other Benedictine monks who usually wear black.
Important Holy People
Saints
- Silvestro Guzzolini (c. 1177 – November 26, 1267): He was the founder of the Sylvestrine Order. He was recognized as a saint on August 29, 1890.
Blesseds
- Filippo da Varano di Recanati (13th century): One of Silvestro Guzzolini's first followers.
- Giovanni della Cella (also known as Giovanni Solitario) (13th century): A hermit.
- Ugo degli Atti de Actis (c. 1227 - July 26, 1270): A monk who was recognized as blessed on July 27, 1757.
- Giuseppe degli Atti de Actis (died August 24, 1273?): He was the Second Prior (a leader) of the Order and Ugo degli Atti's brother.
- Giovanni dal Bastone (March 24, 1200 – March 24, 1290): A monk who was recognized as blessed on August 29, 1772.
- Bartolo di Cingoli (early 13th century - August 3, 1298): He was the Third Prior of the Order.
- Benvenuto da Piticchio di Acervia (date unknown): A monk.
- Giacomo da Attigio da Fabriano (date unknown): A monk.
- Bonaparte (date unknown): A monk.
- Simone da Ripalta (13th century - 14th century): A monk and one of Silvestro Guzzolini's first followers.
Venerables
- Alfredo (Ildebrando) Gregori (May 8, 1894 - November 12, 1985): He started the Benedictine Reparatrix Sisters of the Holy Face. He was declared Venerable on November 7, 2014.
Servants of God
- Bernardo Regno (August 18, 1886 - August 22, 1977): He was the Bishop of Kandy.
