Silvester

ON BLESSED SILVESTER, OF THE CAMALDOLESE ORDER A CONVERSE, AT FLORENCE IN ETRURIA.

YEAR MCCCXLVIII.

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.

About his cult & Life, from familiars' relation metrically & vulgarly written.

Silvester, Camaldolese Monk of Florence (B.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

Two has Florence Monasteries, under the name of S. Mary of the Angels; the one of Carmelite Virgins, which S. Mary Magdalen de Pazzis, whose Acts we have illustrated XXV May, Body under altar within the choir, by the deposition of her body most celebrated renders; the other of Monks Camaldolese, which when in year MDCLXI we visited, P. Henschenius & I, having entered the temple, nothing first we noted, than the choir with a diaphragm certain elegantly marbled so distinguished from the anterior part, that on a tablet exceedingly well polished with golden letters to be read it exhibited these verses:

Of Silvester here are of the Converse, & Monk Jacobus, Of the Virgin & of Paula bones blessed: venerate. Silvanus Razzius, of this sacred monastery Cenobiarcha A. MDXCVIII. in year 1598 placed,

[2] Hence to their notice further to be required converted, & to inquiring on what day each were each in this work to be referred; we consulted the Supplement or part second on the Lives of Saints & Blessed of Etruria, by the praised Abbot Silvanus published in Italian in year MDCI; & p. 86 we read, the last this translation made, 15 July, with license of D. Vicarius General, for the Most Illustrious Archbishop Cardinal Alexander de Medici at Florence residing, on day XXV July of the year noted before, after the sacred bones for triduum had stood exposed to public veneration.

[3] Adds the Author, that before this last translation was made, the same sacred pledges on various occasions several times were exchanged; until in year MDLVII were placed under the altar of the chapel of S. John the Baptist, from the Benini Patrons name having; which to the Monks for the Chapter's place to have been, is plain from the Histories Camaldolese part posterior, brought thither from the Chapter place. published in year MDLXXIX; whence it pleases here to premise the Latin about B. Silvester synopsis, as is held book 3 Cap. 14, which Chapter is about him & about B. Jacob Gerio, whose soul blessed, of body's bonds loosed, to heavens departed on the Nones of August; when it will be allowed about him separately to treat; now what to Silvester pertain let be brought forth, in this printed tenor:

[4] Contributed much of help to the rising of the Angels at Florence community of B. Silvester the Monk Converse's conversation. Life synopsis from hist. Camald, He of honest parents in the valley of Sevia born, & a boy in the way of fear of God very well educated, when into adolescence to incline he began, about to seize the monastic institute with himself silent he began to think. Coming therefore to the Angels, & asking to himself the holy habit to be handed, a Converse, beyond the Prior's & Monks' will, to be made he preferred. He emitted his profession in the month of May MCCCXV: & thirty three years exercising the kitchen, in holy proposed completed. Was free however for as if perpetual prayer: of which by grace when sometime by Brethren, as too assiduous, was rebuked; happened also not once, that the curious, having feared lest the dishes at the hour fitting for dinner cooked & prepared in the kitchen not were, him from the work of prayer to drag out strove. To whom he with humble words responded; Be not, Brethren, I beseech you through the Lord Jesus, where is referred helpers in the kitchen to have had the Angels; to me annoying: all things are opportunely prepared. With whom departing, & already the hour of dinner coming, when the matter's event the servant of Christ true to have said had proved; was spread through the city fame, that the Angels of God to the Angels the ministry of the kitchen exercised, while Brother Silvester to prayer was inclined. What more? That itself about cleansing also vessels of the kitchen was preached , while certain less believers him to rebuke trying, to him said; That hour, of washing vessels of the kitchen office demands, not of praying; & just as he said, most diligently cleansed were found.

[5] Was a Sister to him a Nun, in nearby hermitage of S. Margareta, opposite of the gate of the cenobium which when B. Silvester, through messengers or with writings, & to his sister having foretold, both on one day to be about to die: often to visit was wont, & to heavenly goods with green hope to animate; happened in the last days her by brother to ask; when in country consummated most sweet Jesus, spouse true of souls holy, were going to see? To whom he in these words wrote back: Rejoice, sister, of the eternal Spouse spouse, because on such day (certain I hope) Him most joyful together we shall see, sitting at the right of the Father, so that Him further to lose we cannot. Did not understand then the venerable Virgin of these words the mystery; but within a few days with mortal sickness laboring, she obtained from the Bishop, that to the Angels to be buried she could. Meanwhile he also B. Silvester, by infirmity oppressed, to the last of spirit came hour; & on the same day as the sister, the soul to God rendered. Whence happened, that of each the obsequies, in the cenobium of the Angels, acted were; both bodies together buried. Furthermore B. Silvester, is added, together to have been buried. on account of holy life & transit most glorious, among the Saints of the Order thereafter held, with many shone miracles; which to letters committed had been, but a flood the little book took away. Are preserved of both the Relics at the altar of S. John the Baptist in the Chapter, in an ark wooden. Migrated to God B. Silvester V Ides of June MCCCXLVIII.

[6] Which thus true to be can. Was then Bishop of Florence, Francis de Aptis, through voluntary abdication of Angelus Acciajoli, to the Cassinensian monastery having crossed in year MCCCXLV; promoted to the Cathedra that, & made after years eleven Cardinal. But Angelus, before the Pontificate himself he abdicated, approved the donation of the neighboring Parthenon of S. Margaret, made to the monastery of the Angels by the above-named B. Paula, there Abbess, B. Silvester's disciple, with that condition, that after her Paula's death the cession would be consummated: she indeed lived until the year MCCCLXVIII. Is not therefore she the sister of B. Silvester aforesaid & with him buried; as she placed always would remain; which the same also proves the whole of B. Paula's life, to be given on day VI January in the Supplement. Hence doubt is born how the Author of the History says, that of both, namely brother & sister, the Relics are preserved at the altar of S. John the Baptist in the Chapter, in an ark wooden: since in that ark now are said to be held bones of B. Paula, & for such most recently translated were.

[7] he for some time uncorrupted, Is augmented of some confusion suspicion also from this, that the praised Author of the Camaldolese History, although sufficiently evidently distinguishes B. Silvester's sister from B. Paula (indeed who this for so many years to have survived says, in the very following line; that one indeed her brother to have died together) about Paula however, as Blessed, nowhere speaks, nor about her weaves peculiar Chapter, which indeed was deserved. But neither mentions Domnus Zenobius, who the Life of each, namely BB. Silvester & Paula wrote; nor at all it seems to have had, altogether other things narrating, by him not even lightly indicated, & so memorials most diverse followed: nay also seems altogether not to have known, who that was, whose bones with the bones of B. Silvester were contained in the ark, now of three common. I esteem therefore the Sister of Silvester, if any was (for nor of her mentions Fr. Zenobius, & only says, the Blessed to have had some kinswoman in that, where his disciple he located, cenobium) I esteem, I say, the sister or kinswoman that of the Blessed, never for Blessed to have been held or to have been translated; more often also translated was, but this honor to have been held to the brother alone; whose body uncorrupted had remained, just as narrates Zenobius, upon a tablet certain, & first to be corrupted began through a flood a certain; that I believe, of which mentions Matthew Villanius book 3 ch. 13 for year MCCCLII. Accordingly the body of B. Silvester, from the body of the sister or kinswoman separately always held was, just as separately also from both & from B. Jacob, with three before Silvester years dead, placed was Paula, after various translations finally in year MDLVII to two Blessed joined, not however to that anonymous sister.

[8] Silvanus Razzius, in the relation which he wove, about three by himself to the church translated Blessed, seems with study to have been silent about the sister of Silvester; & finally into one with two others ark composed, I believe, because not he had found an older than Augustine witness, or also had noticed his around it error, which he preferred to dissemble than to refute. Let remain therefore with the author the faith of that narration; & outside the suspicion of confusion let be preserved Relics of three, truly Blessed, as testify miracles. Of these the last B. Paula, the source is of more certain about the other two notice: of her alone the Life so is held written from knowledge of familiars (whom as relators to have had himself, often says the praised Domnus Zenobius) that to it is attached & interwoven of other two history some; & besides this none found by us & described at Florence is. Is it from the Codex of Charles Strozzi the Senator p. m. no. 1064, just as commonly written once Acts were. marked B. H. & still with the son & heirs is preserved. He wrote however Zenobius, as he himself states, in year MCCCXLIV, to us XLV, years fifty after the death of Silvester, as an Appendix to the Life of B. Paula. This Life if had seen Gabriel Bucelinus, who him from Augustine's History inserted into his Benedictine Menology, longer elogium without doubt would have woven; nor Paula would have referred to day V January, since she died VI.

LIFE

From Italian of Domnus Zenobius the Monk, Found with Charles Strozzi the Florentine Senator.

Silvester, Camaldolese Monk of Florence (B.)

FROM MS. ITALIAN.

PROLOGUE.

[1] Here below briefly we shall speak about Fr. Silvester, Converse of this House, & master of Sister Paula above mentioned: who both were full of the grace of Jesus Christ; that namely may not perish the recollection so good of him, Is written from relation of Confessor, of whose in blessing memory is; apt also much to souls our utility to bring. We shall say however in rude speech, what we have heard from many Brethren faith worthy, & specially from Fr. Francis Confessor of him, LXXXV years old man, who here entered in year MCCCXXXII; & was acting then year of age his XXII, today however, that is XXII March of year MCCCXCIV completes year LXII of this his reclusion. He to me many things told about Fr. Silvester & Sister Paula, by sight & hearing his own known; & similarly Brethren other many things know about the same Brother's virtues & sayings; about which in rude only style here I shall treat, until, what determined is held, more elegant from Grammatica's laws composition come forth. Here therefore of pre-speaking end to me be. To God thanks. in year according to Florentines 1394, 22 March: Such a composition whether ever came forth, is unknown: if it came forth, the same flood, which, by the testimony of Fr. Augustine the little book of miracles took away, that also consumed, or another chance. Meanwhile note, the years of the Florentines their Epoch to take from the feast of the Incarnation, third after the Natal of Christ month; & so XXV of the month of March, on which the monastery entered Francis is, by us to be ascribed is to year MCCCXXXIII; & thus consequently to be numbered is XLCV, on which he year LXII, of religious life completed.

[2] Let be noted also, that I Dom. Zenobius, with collected those things which I was about to say, them from the beginning bound with meter: because such kind of exercise to myself I had assumed, & this briefly in rhythm common, for declining a certain temptation another: & is unpolished versification, that from proper of words heard sense not too much I might recede. And when however afterwards the matter thus written I wished in prose vulgar & plain to render, I saw the composition to be about prolix: which prolixity I leave to him, who the same, according to Grammatica's art digested, will make public: I however brief this in rhythm shall weave, just as I have collected: & under the end few lines in prose I shall add. Hitherto here as another Prologue, or of Prologue appendix. Follows the rhythm, of senarii consisting verses with this beginning:

Essendo Frate Silvestro secolare: Stav'a cardar le panni, e a purgare: & cetera in this manner, of distichs ninety four: which when I described, was wishing someone, that them thus I might publish, here in Latin prose rendered. price about to have with of Etruscan antiquity lovers. But I answered, the matter to that extent to work our unusual, & to of Italian ignorant tongue grievous about to be; nor easily to be brought to other nations as example equal to be required of us, & through itself vast sufficiently mass of Acts to be aggregated into amplitude much greater, if those also to be printed were taken up: of century XIX writers Etruscan, & them of tongue their parents held, Dante & others in hands to be. But behold, with advanced hitherto impression, asks the Typographer, that the manner I may find, by which the beginning of day X be deferred to page 261. And so, with changed counsel, of the Life into Latin prose converted I shall subjoin the original rhythm, & with it the space I shall fill, which to be filled wished he, at the same time & of friend desire I shall make sufficient.

Begins the Life of Fr. Silvester the Converse.

[3] When Brother Silvester secular was, he was free for carmining & combing of cloths; with preaching however then Brother b Jordan, little by little converted was. With Fr. Jordan friendship used, He indeed when with elegant diction his often very weary was (for very much for two hours preached, & that about matters so high, that of great was admiration) was awaiting him Fr. Silvester at the foot of stairs, & to him gave of best wine a little flask, & so comforted. And when this often he did, strict with him friendship contracted: & on account of the charity which toward the same he used, deigned him Christ to visit in this manner. & made Hermit, On the day of S. Martin appeared; & that in a hut a certain of Nobles of Abbots, among rebels' families expelled. Then indeed converted Silvester, A little Brother himself made up c at Castaneus, lamb-like preferring simplicity; & was called Fr. Vincent; & there for time some remained. Then to Vallis-Marinae d crossed, & there an eremitory constructed, of penance & abstinence free, with single of the same proposed companion.

[4] Food for themselves on Sunday they cooked, as much as for the week would suffice; harsh life he leads: nor more of garments had Fr. Vincent, than a little tunic e one above the flesh with little mantle; that however the same sometimes from himself drawn off in a ditch he cleaned, by pounding with stakes there found. Bran, of which copiously eaten by hunger however he was dying, sawdust wooden similar were. Long time such abstinence he made, cautious lest against God he might offend; & often with nettles himself scourged, that the enemy flesh he might tame. that he might be freed from the goad of flesh, he is ordered to enter religion: But the more he was exaggerating penances, the more it more ferociously rose up; until to obedience's yoke himself he subjected: then indeed such kind of fight & contention ceased. Thus then contending he was saying to God; Your will, not mine I desire to do. Therefore through vision was said to him, that immediately Religion he should enter. Came therefore into this f Eremitory, & by the Brethren received was into g Converse, doing year of age the fortieth, while a thousand three hundred & eighteen were numbered.

[5] Made however him immediately cook: which office exceedingly fervently he exercised: in which seeing himself less able to pray, but since in it to labor was to himself by day & by night, not could pray as he was wont. He was saying therefore to himself: I was wont to continue prayers, here however a life slothful I lead: & thence disturbed, deliberated upward to return to his ditch. But at the door he found a Soldier distinguished, who also himself a Converse was; & Silvester looking at, is tempted about it to be deserted; & him to meditate flight knowing, began humbly him to beg & to say; What are you doing, Brother Silvester? do not, by God, yourself to desert. Hence humbled Silvester, stopped; & himself began to laugh at, saying; O little wretch! behold the Soldier that has converted you & has humbled you. Then returned into the kitchen, with great affection prepared the dish of herbs; which when he was mixing, more was esteeming each portion, than a hundred florins; meanwhile content with two hours of prayer within day & night. then wholly himself to spirit he hands over. So much however between cooking grew fervor, which to him through Christ the Lord's grace was conferred; that he appeared full of divine Spirit, & of a Seraph face preferred, burning, inflamed, altered, & wholly into Christ Jesus transformed. And because the Holy Spirit was filling his soul, to eat the body not able, he was failing notably; which yet somehow he sustained with little wine sweet draught, & so triduum whole he lived.

[6] Of Scriptures understanding wondrous he is given. So great his change, was indicated to Masters, & whoever him with such talent endowed beheld; From God, was saying, you have such gift, of what kind no one one in these parts. From hence changed of speaking manner, & such assumed, which to wonder to all was: he showed indeed himself to be full of charity, & true of the highest Trinity servant. Was indeed an idiot, nor knew to read h; the whole however Scripture he was explaining: about which from many Masters certain points questioned, so apt responses he gave, that they would say; Never indeed I this knot so would have loosened, as you. To God be praise. Of these one Fr. Simon i of Cascia confessed, more than a hundred such things from him to himself to have been demonstrated. Gift that divinely he had, as a servant good from first his year; & affectionately the kitchen exercising, to God pleased as truly elect. For years about four in the kitchen thus he remained k, then also in the refectory he was ministering; with which cared for he returned for time some into cell his, For 4 years cook, then also refectorian. the world fleeing & all of it novelty. He lay however there among praying prostrate, often also in contemplating sat; whoever indeed solace from him from temptation sought, counsel to him best gave.

[7] Christ's sight he enjoys. On a certain day appeared Christ in a certain corner solitarily praying Silvester: who his looking at majesty, strongly cried out. Running up however at the cry Fr. Francis, found him praying & as absorbed, whence consoled & comforted returned. Thus several times found was, with hands to heaven raised praying. Then there in straw his customary reclining, was not turning his sides; but with pure affection held eyes fixed in part, where Christ was standing, & him in turn was beholding. The Prior he warns of mildness, If ever the Prior rebuked someone more harshly, with shout & noise; hearing it in his cell Fr. Silvester, running like a stag panting was descending; & to him to the side in the Chapter sitting (this indeed honor all to him deferred) was saying to him; Do you wish him to eat? What did he do, that as a dog against him you rise up? For indeed he wished, that brief & fraternal would be the rebuke: & that especially on one occasion he showed in the cause of one, whom the Prior was suspecting not to be sufficiently pure. Once it happened, that in the refectory associated some, were drinking to the sound of a cithara: of seculars associations to be fled he teaches. but Fr. Silvester with many reproaches all out cast: From seculars, saying, yourselves alienate; because our minds minutely distract: our however acts with their acts not agree, but rather with prayer chaplets. They entangle us their discourses, & us about to pray impede.

[8] at night to pray he persuades; Of common life the norm he showed himself, & of accurate observance an exemplar: to say however was wont, that to one wishing to pray night more convenient was than day: Indeed, saying, soldiers a thousand I would sustain by night, who scarcely two I would resist by day. For by day to be cared secular things are, the night however I have for spiritual destined, & by praying & meditating occupied. So S. Anthony to the sun was saying, that to himself it took away the faculty of praying. When the Prior about the Brethren deliberated something, counsel from Fr. Silvester took: who answered, modest in counsel to Prelates giving, more to be done than to be said, & modestly his he inclined face: that if he insisted, wishing altogether his opinion to understand into one part or another; at last he was saying: More worth from elders six, than youths twenty. When he was cook, & about some defect was accused, immediately ran to the Prelate; & on the ground l prostrate, as Monks are wont, & their rebukes to be received: with cheerful & placid face was saying his fault. If however sometimes the Prior did not receive that, which Silvester was wont, satisfaction & humble words; with himself vehemently angry, the whole body he scourged, harshly himself rebuking, & to right & left himself turning, because he seemed without fruit secularly to live; to the Prior himself nothing harsh he answered, toward whom alone in mouth to him was, sweetness.

[9] Often swelled to him the body, so that falling on the earth was rolling, With flowing in more vehemently spirit, then however was saying to Brother Francis: Stand to me kneeling upon the body, that it de-swell. He was crying out indeed, that itself to him seemed to be ruptured, & such torment sufficiently long to him was. Thus however with abundant spirit was failing flesh, to bear not enduring. On a certain therefore day when with such gift was heaped, placed above at S. Gajus m compelled was without delay to cast himself into bed; with feet gathered, & head with hands & fingers gripping, was crying out strongly, & whole was consumed, bodily he fails: rolling himself upon bed that, often also was walking through the house inflamed, & as if in anguish.

[10] If ever was said to him by someone; I am vexed with thoughts carnal; little he cared; saying, evil to be natural: murmurings he detests but if was saying someone; I murmur about such a one; wholly was disturbed, & immediately replied; What to you with him, servant of God omnipotent? your own scab scratch in this life, that happy departure you may attain. If this in the world you yourself you bewail, you will not have what to lament in future; here indeed more is worth a little tear one, than there a well even deep. & restrains by purgatory's commemoration: Of weeping indeed faculty is given in purgatory, but no of meriting or hair single; unless indeed souls thence are led out through prayer, they believe themselves never from such prison about to go out; & there to be remaining, until stains all purged & wiped have been. These to you I say, was saying, that about these or those not you care of what kind they are, even if also thieves were; but in this life blind made, by operating well, you may merit eternal.

[11] Was wont sometimes to Brethren to say, seeing them more widely to spread out; worldly wanderings he dissuades, If you go forth outside the basket, you will be cudgeled upon the crest. Do not spread, but stand gathered, thus you will be in truth perfect. Flee of this world the appearance, & more the heart to you will be made joyful in heavens. He was saying also that S. Peter not only had faith about the world another, but also true certainty; & with affection eternal life beheld, as more than full faith of it attained. When he gave little cap his to be washed; cleanliness superfluous he avoids, On the front, was saying, to purge it is fitting to the height of four about fingers, the remaining part dry leave. If ever feet he washed, them only he dipped in water, nor into it deeper descended: he was saying indeed; Not is exacted from me account of it, what into the forest I do not cast. In every matter most circumspectly he acted, fearing judgment about it at the end to be borne: much however rooted he was in fear of Christ, our God & redeemer.

[12] On a certain occasion with vehement of Divinity love kindled, & wholly inflamed, he went interrogating; What is God? And when to his wish was answering no one, to Sister Paula, from the opposite of the eremitory ours dwelling, himself betook, & said; What is God, about God most fervently he speaks. O Sister Paula? She indeed answered; Love & charity. Then with raised vehemently voice cried: O! o! & with her advanced upon n solar, day whole they passed, speaking most ardently about God, & seemed altogether altered.

[13] A certain Brother o Jacob, of brother Jacob's uncle, & like another Job patient, consumptive was even to death; nor about his that infirmity ever, hears Angelic songs at the death of B. Jacob, as about misfortune grieved; but what to him given by God was, with thanks giving was bearing; nor was heard sometime to wish either exquisite flesh or eggs soft; when to say he was wont; Matter every good is, because all made who all is good. Died however a young man, & dead appeared lively & ruddy. Sang Angels above in the bell-tower, & at departure received the soul; heard however singing Fr. Silvester, & Sister Paula jubilating. She indeed to Brother Peter said, that, just as S. Paul was into paradise by desire snatched, compared to S. Francis. so also there for the third time was raised Fr. Silvester: & that from the time of S. Francis, even to that hour, no one was more just than he; who of all, whoever in those parts lived, was the most excellent & most fervent.

[14] dies seventy years old: Died however Fr. Silvester in year of the century noted before forty-eighth. And here remained seven of twenty p eight. And was of years seventy, when from this barren world he passed. His body placed was under the vault q of S. Francis upon r a board, as I believe: into which when entered was the flood s, blackened him & wholly corrupted. When however thence was drawn, already separated were the legs from the trunk of body: & was translated to the altar of S. Job: under which the corpse remains, the body by flooding to be corrupted began. awaiting the last day, on which he may be glorified at the right of his beloved Jesus; & so may remain perpetual in paradise, with other Elect contemplating Christ, & food of eternal life tasting with Angels & Saints; to God & Lord our jubilating, & always with true love burning; which love is Christ, under altar is placed: in true peace with His Saints reigning, & with his Mother crowned son, always & everywhere omnipotent, to whom is honor & glory for ages of ages. Amen. Hitherto rhythmically advanced the Author, prosaically adds the following, by no means congruous to number 4, where he had said that the Saint doing year of age 40, received was in year of Christ 1318.

[15] Fr. Silvester who the gift of the Holy Spirit received, when here entered, exemplary his sayings certain here below are collected. was doing of age year XXXVII. He made Profession in the month of May of year MCCCXV; died IX June t MCCCXLVIII. Before indeed he entered, had remained for four years with Fr. u Dinus of Castaneo, & for some time in Vallis Marinae as a Little Brother. Here however having entered, & in the office of kitchen sent, received the gift of the Holy Spirit: with which received began to bring forth such words, that it is worth the price them for instruction of hearers here below to note x, for memory eternal & utility of those who them to hear shall wish & more frequently to repeat; not for the sake of novelty, but reverently & affectionately naming, just as he himself them was saying; & by the same as he himself end, in simplicity of spirit just as he himself.

NOTES D. P.

p I fear lest has fallen out a verse some. Meanwhile seems to be noted the number of Monks, whom there entering Silvester found, & of whom still seven surviving he left.

q To the Florentines & several others in Italy for cemeteries vaults or caves are, in which of the dead corpses are placed upon a board, by the air itself to be consumed, not however in our manner are buried: & so easy is to discern, & from others to separate those, around which God from time to time something beyond nature operates; as done to the body of Blessed this, which through four years to have remained seems incorrupt.

r In Italian, in sur un desco; that it may seem as a table to be understood, from several planks put together, & more than a simple board. s I have already said the flood that to have happened in year 1352, when still was alive Francis de Aptis, Florentine Bishop, even to year 1364 surviving according to Ughellus: to him therefore can be ascribed the first body's Translation to the altar of S. Job.

t Ms. of January: but more agreement to correct persuaded, & of June to read.

u Dinus, in the Italian manner truncated name for Orlandinus, Bernardinus, Gerardinus, or another similar diminutive.

x A few from those for example's sake we have described & in the following page in Latin we place.

BEGINS THE LIFE OF FR. SYLVESTRO THE CONVERSO.

Silvester, Camaldolese Monk of Florence (B.)

[3] Being Brother Sylvestro a secular, He was at carding the cloths and at purging: And preaching at that time Brother Jordano. He converted truly little by little. And Brother Jordano having preached, For his fine speaking often was worn out, That well two hours sometimes he preached, So highly that everyone admired. And Brother Sylvestro, out of compassion, Awaited him at the foot of the stairway: And from an excellent wine gave him A little flask, and so comforted him. And so he did many times, And great friendship took with that Brother. And for the charity that on the Brother he used, Christ in such manner visited him: In San Martino on the cross appeared to him The Crucified: and truly seemed to him, In a hut of the Abbots' houses, Who were driven out as rebels' houses. Then converted he made himself a Little Brother Up there at Castagno with the lamb in mantle: And Brother Vincenzo then was called And stayed for some time in that side. Then into Valdimarina was gone, And made a hermitage in that side; Doing penance and abstinence, With a companion of similar intent.

[4] And the Sunday they did so much cooking, That to them sufficed a day less than the eight. A tunic he had on his flesh, With little mantle; and no more had he cloths, Down in the ditch sometimes he stripped himself, And that with sticks he was cleaning; And seemed like sawdust that brunch, That heaped up he was dying of hunger. For a good time made great abstinence, Guarding himself from making to God offense: And often he beat himself with nettles, To ground his enemy flesh, But the more he did penance, The more was kindled that evil intent. Coming then to the yoke of obedience, Fled such battle and such intent. In such battle he said to God; Your will to do I wish, and not mine. Of which to him was sent in vision, That he enter quickly into Religion. Then came into this hermitage, And received was by all of them For their Converso, having forty years, One thousand three hundred and ten with eight years.

[5] And cook he was made immediately: In which office was very fervent. And here having night and day what to do, As he was wont, could not pray; Saying; I was wont to stay in prayer, And here I make life almost as a slothful one. Of which troubled, was determined, To return up here in that ditch. But at the door stood a great soldier, Who was a Converso; and looked at him, And too well knew that he was leaving. Of which he humbly begged him, Saying, Brother Sylvestro, what do you wish to do? For God I beg you, do not abandon us. Of which he humbled stopped, And of himself made mockery. Saying, O wretched one, that soldier Has converted you, and has humbled you. And in the kitchen being then returned, With great affection made the herb dish. When he stirred each stir, A hundred florins he made estimation. And then content was, with two hours, Between day and night, to be in prayer. And so much grew in cooking that fervor, That grace gave him Christ the Lord: And filled was of divine spirit, Appearing in his face a Seraph Kindled; and inflamed and altered, In Christ God was transformed. The soul filled of Holy Spirit, Eat could not the body, and came to fail. But of a sweet wine a little he tasted, And well three days thus he sustained himself.

[6] Shown was to masters the change. And said each, Of true talent From God you have in him such great gift. That in these parts there is none. From thence onward he changed his speaking, That each one made to marvel. Seemed all full of charity, And true servant of the Trinity. He was an idiot and reading he did not know, And all the Scripture he expounded. Many Masters of points asked him, And expound them truly confessed; Saying, I did not know this knot To untie as you: to God be praise. Well a hundred things to me has he shown, From Cascia Brother Simon has confessed. In the first year he had this gift From the high God, as a servant good; Doing the kitchen with affection, He pleased God as true elect. For about four years in the kitchen he stayed, And then in the refectory also served; And then for the time returned to the cell Fleeing the world and its news. He lay in the cell, and when prayed, And often sat and contemplated: And whoever went to him was consoled. And in temptation counsel he gave.

[7] One day appeared to him Christ in a corner, Being in prayer all alone. The Majesty seeing, cried loud,

And Brother Francesco hearing ran there. And found him praying and almost absorbed; Of which he consoled him and gave comfort. Thus appeared to him praying several times, Being on knees with hands raised: In that part being then in bed The hips not turned, but with pure affection Saw Christ, and the eye regarded In that part, and he regarded. When the Prior made correction Sharp, shouting and making noise; From his cell hearing it Brother Sylvestro, Down ran like a stag in heat: And in Chapter; at the side of his Prior Sat, making to him each one honor, And said, Do you wish to devour him? What has done this one, who appears like a dog? And briefly wished that he correct With charity, and as a Brother be seen. And especially this was to one, Who seemed not to the Prior that he was pure. In refectory a company, Sounding a viol, was drinking: But Brother Sylvestro drove them away, Telling them much vileness. From seculars, said, stay strangers, That our minds they tear quite to grains. Not agree their deeds with ours, But well agree with our Fathers. Their speech makes us entangle, And gives us then hindrance in praying.

[8] Of living in common he gave the form, And of good observance showed the trace. He used to say, that to wish to pray The night more than the day can do. A thousand soldiers at night I would hold, By day even two I would not pay. The day is fitting to the secular, The dark of the night to spiritual, To make praying and meditating. And saint Anthony said of the sun, That from praying it took away the worth. When counsel the Prior took From his Brothers, to him he reported Saying: More, Are said, that be done; And less than No, lowering his face. And he then wished to know, Who was the one and the other, and his saying. And then said, six of elders Are worth more, than twenty youths. When was cook and was accused, Came quickly to his Prelate: And accused was of his fault There on the stucia, as Brothers do: And his fault said immediately, With cheerful face and placated mind. And sometimes that Prior did not receive That satisfying, that for use he had: Seeing Brother Sylvestro not accepted The satisfying, and his humble saying; Angered strongly cleaned himself wholly, And secular appeared without fruit To right and left turning, And with harsh words muttering. And to him not answered that hardness, When he in mouth had so much sweetness.

[9] Often the body to him was swelled, And falling to earth was turning; Saying to Brother Francesco, Stand upon me on the body With the knees, that the body decrease: And cried, the body to me is breaking, Suffering this pain for great length. The divine Spirit so abounded, That not could carry it, but trembled. One day was assailed by such gift, Up there at S. Gaggio: and without delay, On the bed cast himself; taking the feet, On head placed the hands and fingers, Strongly crying and all consuming, On that bed went turning. Thus through the house often went All choking, and almost gasping.

[10] And when to him one went to relate, I am content with carnal thought, Cared little such saying; Saying, that it was thing natural. But if was saying, I murmur about such, Was disturbed all immediately; Saying; What have you to do with that one, The which to servant of the omnipotent? Scratch your scab in this life, So that you make then good ending. If in this world you bewail yourself, In the other world you will not draw then woes, Worth a tear more in this world, Than then in the other a well very deep. In Purgatory one can well weep, But a hair not can merit, If not they leap from here with prayer, It seems to them never to be of such prison: But there they stay, until are purged All the stains, and are well cleared. This to you I say, because not you care, Of these or those if they were thieves: But blind become in this life, By doing well have eternal life.

[11] He was wont sometime to say to Brothers, Seeing them wish much to widen: If you go out from under the basket, You will be cudgeled upon the crest. Do not widen, but stay tight, In truth you will be more perfect. Flee the apparent vain world. And better in heaven will be the heart joyful. He said, that saint Peter not had only faith Of the other world, but true certainty, And with the affection eternal life sees, And to more than of this, full faith. Having the cap his washed, He said on the forehead make purge; Before four fingers be washed, And that which remains leave it dried. Washing his feet, with water covered The feet exactly, and no more falling, Saying, The reason was not asked of me, Of that which I do not cast in the forest: In every thing lived measured, Fearing of the end the judgment. Much was confirmed in the fear Of Christ, our God and Redeemer.

[12] One day Brother Sylvestro was burning Of great love of God; and inflamed, He went asking, What is God? And answered none to his desire. Of which went opposite to Sister Paola, And said, What is God? o Sister Paola? And she said, Love and charity, And other name not to him agrees. To which he cried, O! o! very on high, And entered to her upon the smalt: And all the day they spoke, kindled Of love of God, and seemed altered. A Brother Giacob, uncle of Brother Giacobbo, Grew patient like a Job; Consumptive was at last to his death. And did not grieve ever for grievous lot And infirmity: and what to him was given. Bearing always, God he thanked. Never was known that he wished Either flesh that for him grease, or eggs cooked. He said always, Every thing is good: And all has made who all gives. Then died being a young man: And dead was fresh and ruddy. Sang the Angels up from the bell-tower, And took up the soul in departing: And Brother Sylvestro heard them singing, And Sister Paola heard them rejoicing. Said Sister Paola to Brother Piero, That Brother Sylvestro snatched in desire, As saint Paul was in paradise, So was three times, and was seated. And from saint Francis, to this hour, More just than this one was not yet, Brother Sylvestro is the most excellent, Who is in these parts the most fervent.

[14] Brother Sylvestro died in the forty-eight. And here remained seven of twenty-eight. Years seventy had Brother Sylvestro, When he passed from this world to the heavenly. Within the vault there in saint Francesco Was placed, I believe, upon a desk. And then the flood inside there entered, And made him black and all spoiled him: Dug out from there, was separated The body from the legs and translated? Was there in saint Job in the altar, And rests with bust, to await The last day, to be glorious At the right of Jesus his loving: And so in Paradise always to stay With the other Elect, and Christ contemplate, Tasting the food of life eternal With Angels and with Saints, in eternally Singing and rejoicing to God Lord: And always burning in the true love; The which love is Christ true, Who reigns with His Saints in true peace, And with His Mother crowned Son, always omnipotent in every side; To whom is honor and glory for ages of ages. Amen.

OF THE SAME B. SILVESTER SELECTED APOPHTHEGMATA.

Silvester, Camaldolese Monk of Florence (B.)

He used to say: It is not sufficient to be spiritual in act & work: but have also a spiritual mind. Truth has rough lips, but tranquil heart: hypocrisy on the contrary sweet lips, but a perverse mind. We are within like an onion, of which while you remove one skin, you find another. Unless tribulation did not humble, through ingratitude we would slip into idolatry. The Brothers as long as together they are in the church, chapter, & refectory, that afterwards willingly they ought into the cell themselves by fleeing to receive. Men holy more watch after Matins, than after Vespers. If anyone was saying: Thus we ought to do; today is not done so; was answering Fr. Silvester; About yourself alone speak: whence do you know what others do? alone yourself accuse. He did not wish the Brothers in Confession to narrate their dreams; but simply to say: I accuse myself that I have had an obscene dream: because worse than the dream itself is its memory. More to befit a Religious he was saying, that to the chalice first water he should pour than wine: for if first wine you have put in, often in quantity you are deceived. He prayed always in obscurity: & asserted, God's servant must with darknesses to be delighted, like a bat. Much he grieved at the augment of churches, & to greater preferred small humble ones. He wished that the Brothers quickly depart from the place of Chapter, for fleeing the fraud of the brawling devil. He did not approve discipline too harsh nor too prolonged; but praised moderate, humble, & devout. I wonder, he was saying, how the heart within the body does not crack under the Divine Office, on account of its sweetness & sublimity of words.

Acta Sanctorum: June II: 10. June