BENEDICTINE SILVESTRINES. — They were founded at Monte Fano near Fabriano in 1231 by St. Sylvester (q.v.). Originally they were called the Order of St. Benedict of Monte Fano, then the Benedictine Congregation of Silvestrines, or more briefly, the Silvestrines. Soon many companions gathered around the founder, drawn by the austerity of his life, so that when the dwelling at Monte Fano became insufficient, the saint was forced to build other monasteries in the surrounding regions: Santa Maria di Grottaferrata, San Bonfiglio of Cingoli, San Marco of Ripalta near Arcevia, and San Giacomo in Settimiano in Rome. The Rule was that of St. Benedict, without particular constitutions, which were later drawn up by the third successor of St. Sylvester, the Venerable Andrew of Giacomo.
From the outset the institution encountered envy and suspicion, and some saw in the new religious innovators and heretics. Sylvester was summoned to Rome to give an account of his work, which he did successfully, so much so that Innocent IV, with a bull of June 27, 1247, fully approved it and placed it under his immediate protection. Having overcome this first obstacle, the number of followers increased and the Congregation developed widely, continuing to grow until the end of the fourteenth century. With the advent of commendatory abbots, decline began and a noticeable relaxation of the ancient rigor ensued. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries there was some revival with the founding of new monasteries. In Portugal the Congregation spread in the sixteenth century through the efforts of Francesco di Gesù Maria. Under the pontificate of Alexander VII, with a bull of March 29, 1662, the Congregation was united with that of Vallombrosa; but the union was short-lived. After a few years it regained its autonomy. The Napoleonic suppression of 1810 and the Italian suppression of 1866 marked its end, and all its artistic, scientific, historical, and literary heritage was destroyed.
After 1870, however, a revival began and some houses were reopened in Italy, while evangelization of Ceylon began through the efforts of Giuseppe M. Bravi, later bishop of Colombo. In the United States the Silvestrines arrived in 1910, and the first house was opened in Kansas, where churches and monasteries with attached schools were established.
Alongside the male branch, a female branch also arose in 1233, 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 theological and philosophical studentates, with about 200 religious.