SILVESTRINE BENEDICTINES. - They were founded at Monte Fano near Fabriano in 1231 by St. Silvester (v.). Originally they were called the Order of St. Benedict of Monte Fano, then the Silvestrine Benedictine Congregation, or more briefly the Silvestrines. Around the founder the first companions soon gathered, attracted by the austerity of his life, so that, the dwelling at Monte Fano having become insufficient, the Saint was forced to build other monasteries in the neighboring regions: St. Mary of Grottafenile, St. Bonfiglio of Cingoli, St. Mark of Ripalta near Arcevia, St. James in Settimiano at Rome. The Rule was that of St. Benedict, without particular constitutions, which were later drawn up by the third successor of St. Silvester, the Ven. Andrea di Giacomo.
The institution encountered envy and suspicion from its birth, and there were those who saw in the new religious innovators and heretics. Silvester was summoned to Rome to give an account of his work, which he did with good success, so much so that Innocent IV, by a bull of 27 June 1247, fully approved it and placed it under his immediate protection. Having won this first battle, the number of followers increased and the Congregation underwent a broad development that continued to grow throughout the 14th century. With commendams began the decline and a marked relaxation of the ancient rigor. In the 16th and 17th centuries there was a certain revival with the founding of new monasteries. Into Portugal the Congregation penetrated in the 16th century through the work of Francesco di Gesù Maria. Under the pontificate of Alexander VII, by a bull of 29 March 1662, the Congregation was united with that of Vallombrosa; but the union was short-lived. After a few years it in fact resumed its autonomy. The Napoleonic suppression of 1810 and the Italian one of 1866 marked its end, and its entire artistic, scientific, historical and literary patrimony was destroyed.
After 1870, however, a recovery began and some houses were reopened in Italy, while the evangelization of Ceylon began through the work of Fr. Giuseppe M. Bravi, later bishop of Colombo. Into the United States the Silvestrines penetrated in 1910 and the first house was opened in Kansas, where churches and monasteries with attached schools arose.
Alongside the male branch there also arose in 1233 the female one, which lasted until 1822, when the few remaining nuns were united with the Cistercians. At present the Congregation has 8 houses, two apostolic colleges and three studentates of theology and philosophy, with about 200 religious.