November 26th - St. Silvester Gozzolini
- From: "Trudie" <trudie.Miller@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:08:20 -0600
November 26th - St. Silvester Gozzolini
Sylvester was born in 1177 to the noble Gozzolini (Guzzolini) family of Osimo,
Italy. Little is known of his early life. He did study law at Bologna and Padua,
but became interested in theology. The story is told that when he switched his
studies to theology and sought the priesthood, his father was so infuriated that
he refused to speak to Sylvester for ten years.
After ordination Sylvester was a canon at Osimo where he worked diligently to
bring the Gospel values to his people. His zeal did get him into difficulties
with his bishop who lived a lax and unedifying life. When Sylvester respectfully
rebuked him for his behavior, the bishop threatened to remove him from his post.
In 1227, Sylvester, who had long been drawn to the contemplative life, is said
to have had a vision of the decaying body of a very handsome man. He resigned
his rich post and became a hermit 30 miles from Osimo in a very lonely spot. He
subsequently moved to Grotto Fucile and was soon surrounded by disciples who
were drawn to his simple and holy life.
In 1231 He built his first monastery in a pagan ruins at Monte Fano near
Fabriano, Italy. He chose a very austere interpretation of the Rule of St.
Benedict as the rule for his monks to follow, and thus was born the Silvestrine
order. This community was approved by Pope Innocent IV in 1247.
Sylvester governed his community for 36 years with great wisdom, prudence and
love. At his death in 1267 there were 11 monasteries, either new or reformed,
under his rule and guidance. These would later increase to 56 throughout Italy,
Portugal and Brazil. Sylvester was canonized by Pope Clement VIII in 1598.
Today the congregation is part of the larger Benedictine Confederation, and
while small, has monasteries in Italy and Ceylon. They are identified by their
dark blue habits. While we don't have a lot of historical data about Sylvester,
what we do have gives us a picture of a man of great courage and simplicity. He
faced the anger of his noble father to pursue a call to the unpopular service of
God. He was not afraid to confront sin and was willing to give up his
comfortable and rich position to live a life totally dedicated to prayer and
service to God.
Quote:
"True knowledge is [that which consists in] the doctrine of the apostles, and
the ancient constitution of the Church throughout all the world, and the
distinctive manifestation of the body of Christ according to the successions of
the bishops, by which they have handed down that Church which exists in every
place, and has come even unto us, being guarded and preserved without any
forging of Scriptures, by a very complete system of doctrine, and neither
receiving addition nor [suffering] curtailment [in the truths which she
believes]; and [it consists in] reading [the word of God] without falsification,
and a lawful and diligent exposition in harmony with the Scriptures, both
without danger and without blasphemy; and [above all, it consists in] the
pre-eminent gift of love, which is more precious than knowledge, more glorious
than prophecy, and which excels all the other gifts [of God]."
--Irenaeus,Against Heresies,4:33:8(A.D. 180)
Bible Quote
22 And Jesus answering, saith to them: Have the faith of God. 23 Amen I say to
you, that whosoever shall say to this mountain, Be thou removed and be cast into
the sea, and shall not stagger in his heart, but believe, that whatsoever he
saith shall be done; it shall be done unto him. 24 Therefore I say unto you, all
things, whatsoever you ask when ye pray, believe that you shall receive; and
they shall come unto you. (Mark 11:22-24)
<><><><>
Daily Thoughts and Prayers for Our Beloved Dead
"Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because the hand
of
the Lord hath touched me" Job. 19-21.
FIFTH DAY
In consideration of our future prayers, God deigns to grant to a dying
sinner
good dispositions which secure him the salvation of his soul.
Prayer: Our Father, Three Hail Marys, Gloria, De Profundis.
De Profundis
Out of the depths, I have cried to Thee,
O Lord, Lord, hear my voice.
Let Thine ears be attentive to the
voice of my supplication.
If Thou, O Lord, shalt mark my iniquities,
O Lord, who shall stand it?
For with Thee there is merciful
forgiveness: and by reason of Thy
law I have waited for Thee, O Lord.
My soul hath relied on His word; my soul
hath hoped in the Lord.
From the morning watch even until
night; let Israel hope in the Lord.
Because with the Lord there is mercy;
And with Him plenteous redemption.
And He shall redeem Israel from
all its iniquities.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
And let perpetual light shine upon them:
May they rest in peace. Amen.
O my God, I offer Thee the Blood shed by Thine only begotten Son on
Calvary;
the sorrows of His blessed Mother, for the remission of our sins, the
deliverance of the Souls in Purgatory, for our Holy Mother Church and for
the
forgiveness of sinners.
Also See
http://www.dailycatholic.org/deprofun.htm
For whole month.
.
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