Sylvester Gozzolini
Silvestro Guzzolini was an Italian Catholic priest and the founder of the Silvestrini, a religious congregation. He left a career as a canon due to his bishop's misconduct and founded his order based on the Rule of Saint Benedict after a vision. His order received papal approval and expanded significantly across Italy.
- Feast Day
- November 26
- Century
- 13th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›Silvestro Guzzolini was born in Osimo, Italy.
- ›He studied law in Bologna and Padua but abandoned secular studies for theology.
- ›He became a canon in Osimo and left after respectfully rebuking his bishop's conduct.
- ›He founded the Silvestrini, a religious congregation based on the Rule of Saint Benedict.
- ›His order received papal approval from Pope Innocent IV.
- ›He died on November 26, 1267, and was canonized in 1598.
Silvestro Guzzolini
Silvestrini
About Sylvester Gozzolini
Silvestro Guzzolini
Silvestro Guzzolini (1178 – 26 November 1267) was an Italian Catholic priest and the founder of the Silvestrini, a religious congregation.
Life and Historical Context
Born in Osimo to Gislerio and Bianca Guzzolini, Silvestro initially studied jurisprudence in Bologna and Padua. Finding these studies too secular, he felt a calling to the ecclesiastical state and pursued theological and scriptural studies. Upon his return home in 1208, his father reportedly refused to speak to him for ten years due to his change of purpose. After being ordained a priest in 1217, Guzzolini served as a canon at Osimo. His zealous pastoral work and respectful rebukes of his bishop's scandalous conduct led to hostility from the prelate, who threatened to strip him of his position.
Seeking to leave the world, Guzzolini retired to a hermitage in 1227. After being offered a better site by a nobleman, he eventually established himself at Grotta Fucile, where he lived in severe penance, subsisting on raw herbs and water. He may have been inspired by the hermit Bonfilius. Disciples began to gather, necessitating the adoption of a Rule for his followers. Despite an invitation from Pope Gregory IX to join the Dominicans, Guzzolini refused.
Founding of the Silvestrini
In 1231, after a vision of Benedict of Nursia, Guzzolini chose the Rule of Saint Benedict for his congregation. He built his first convent on Montefano, near Fabriano. On June 27, 1248, he obtained a papal bull from Pope Innocent IV confirming his order as canonical, which facilitated its expansion. By the time of his death, Guzzolini had founded eleven monasteries under this papal approval.
Sainthood and Legacy
Silvestro Guzzolini died on November 26, 1267, due to a severe fever. His beatification was confirmed in the 1260s, and he was later canonized in 1598 by Pope Clement VIII. Pope Leo XIII included his Mass and office in the General Roman Calendar in 1890. His remains were disinterred and placed in a shrine at the church of Monte Fano. The Silvestrini order, founded by Guzzolini, continues to be a testament to his religious vision and organizational efforts.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Silvestro Guzzolini?
Silvestro Guzzolini was an Italian Catholic priest and the founder of the Silvestrini religious congregation. He lived from 1178 to 1267.
Why did Silvestro Guzzolini leave his position as a canon?
He left his position as a canon in Osimo after respectfully rebuking his bishop's inappropriate conduct and the scandals arising from the prelate's irregular life. Fearing repercussions, he chose to leave his secular position.
How did Silvestro Guzzolini found his religious order?
After retiring to a hermitage, Guzzolini felt called to found a religious congregation. He based it upon the Order of Saint Benedict after experiencing a dream of Benedict of Nursia, adopting his Rule in 1231.
What is the Silvestrini order?
The Silvestrini is a religious congregation founded by Silvestro Guzzolini. It received papal approval from Pope Innocent IV, allowing it to expand significantly across Italian cities.
When was Silvestro Guzzolini canonized?
Silvestro Guzzolini's beatification was confirmed in the 1260s, and he was later canonized as a saint in 1598 by Pope Clement VIII.
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