It’s the Feast of St. Sylvester, Abbot, 3rd Class, with the color of White. In this episode: the meditation: “The Pain of Loss ”, today’s news from the Church: “Pope Leo XIV Ready to Grant Broad Exemptions to Traditionis Custodes”, a preview of the Sermon: “Preparing for Judgment”, and today’s thought from the Archbishop.
Saint Sylvester Gozzolini, the founder of the Sylvestrine Benedictines, was a man who discovered his vocation not in the noise of public life but in a moment of quiet shock. Born in 1177 to a noble family near Osimo in central Italy, he studied law to please his father. Yet his heart leaned toward theology, and he secretly pursued sacred studies. Everything changed when he attended the funeral of a friend. As the coffin was opened for identification, Sylvester saw the disfigured body and felt an inner jolt that pierced him to the core. The sight made him realize how much of his life had been spent chasing opinions and honors that would not last. From that moment he resolved to live entirely for God.
He became a priest and served faithfully, but a conflict with his bishop over matters of conscience pushed him to withdraw into solitude. Sylvester fled to a remote hillside near Fabriano, where he rebuilt a crumbling chapel and lived as a hermit. Word spread quickly. People sought him out for counsel, and young men began to gather around him. Sylvester tried to flee deeper into the wilderness, but each time he withdrew, more followers found him. Eventually he accepted that God wanted him to guide others, not hide from them.
In 1231 he formally founded his community,...
