Sylvestrines facts for kids
 Emblem of the Sylvestrine Congregation of the Benedictine Order
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| Abbreviation | O.S.B. Silv. |
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| Formation | c. AD 1231 |
| Founder | Sylvester Gozzolini |
| Type | Catholic religious order |
| Headquarters | Italy |
The Sylvestrines are a special group of monks who are part of the Order of St Benedict. They are also known as the Sylvestrine Congregation. You might see their initials, O.S.B. Silv., after their names.
This group was started in 1231 by a man named Sylvester Gozzolini. They are part of a bigger family of Benedictine monks around the world. Unlike some other monk groups, their homes are usually not called "abbeys." This helps them stay focused on their spiritual life. All their homes are guided by one leader, called an abbot general.
The Story of the Sylvestrines
The Sylvestrines began with a man named Sylvester Gozzolini. He was born in Italy around 1177. When he was young, he joined a group of religious people called Augustinians.
Around 1227, Sylvester decided to live a very simple, quiet life away from others. But soon, many people wanted to follow him and learn from him. So, in 1231, he built a small, peaceful home for them near a mountain called Montefano in Italy.
This new community followed the Rule of St. Benedict, which is a set of rules for monks. They were very strict about living simply and not owning many things. When Sylvester passed away in 1267, there were already eleven Sylvestrine monasteries.
At their busiest time, the Sylvestrines had 56 monasteries. Most of these were in Italy. One famous church, San Marco in Florence, used to belong to them. But later, they moved to a smaller church called San Giorgio alla Costa.
Like many religious groups in Europe, the Sylvestrines faced tough times in the 1800s. Wars and changes in Italy made it hard for them. Their main home was the Monastery of Santo Stefano del Cacco in Rome, which started in 1563. Some important Sylvestrines include their founder, Sylvester Gozzolini, and two blessed monks, Giovanni del Bastonne, and Giuseppe and Ugo di Serra San Quirico.
Where Sylvestrines Live Around the World
For a long time, the Sylvestrine monks mostly lived in Italy. But then, they started to spread out.
- Sri Lanka: In 1845, they began their first mission outside Europe in Sri Lanka (which was then called Ceylon). They helped many people there for a long time.
- United States: In 1910, two monks came to the United States, settling in Kansas. They helped coal miners and their families. As the coal industry changed, they moved to Detroit in 1928. There, they built their first monastery in the U.S. in 1938, called St Benedict of Oxford Monastery. This is now their main home in the United States. They also have another home in New Jersey.
- Australia: In 1962, a monastery was started in Sydney, Australia, by an Italian monk who had been serving in Sri Lanka.
- India: The Sylvestrines also have monasteries in India.
- Philippines and Congo: More recently, they have started new homes in the Philippines and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Sylvestrines Today
The Sylvestrine monks were an independent group for many years. But in 1973, they joined the Benedictine Confederation. This means they are now part of the larger Benedictine family worldwide.
As of 2020, there are three Sylvestrine monasteries in Italy. In 2019, Father Antony Puthenpurackal became the new leader, or abbot general, of the Sylvestrine Congregation.
You can easily spot a Sylvestrine monk by their special clothing. Their religious habit is dark blue, which is different from most other Benedictine monks who wear black.
