SAINT SYLVESTER, BISHOP OF CHALON - 20 NOVEMBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN NOVEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 20th of November

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SAINT SYLVESTER, BISHOP OF CHALON

A bishop of Chalon (Cabillo) on the Saone, Saint Sylvester ascended the Episcopal Chair about the year 490. It was he who ordained St Caesarius of Arles.

In 517 he attended the Council of Epaon; his name can still be seen among the signatures of the attendees - following those of St Avitus of Vienne and St Viventius (Viventiolus) of Lyons. We can deduct from this that St Sylvester must have been one of the oldest bishops. 

According to St Gregory of Tours St Sylvester died, as rich in merits as in years of life, after he had presided over his See for 42 years in a most saintly manner. The same writer also reports that the sick used to come and lie down on the bed the saint slept on during his earthly pilgrimage, which was woven from ropes, and thereby recovered their health. 

Around the year 878, Bishop Girbold of Chalon discovered the body of our saint as well as that of St Agricola in the St Marcellus Church and solemnly raised it. On this occasion, some of St Sylvester's relics were - together with the whole body of St Agricola - placed on the St Peter's altar. The remainder of Sylvester's mortal remains was left behind in the marble tomb in which they had been found. The devotion to this holy bishop was confirmed by Pope John VIII . His name is also inserted in the Roman Martyrology. In the bishopric of Autun, St Sylvester's memorial is celebrated on November 28 (But.).

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 5, Augsburg, 1882)

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Sylvester may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.