Basilica di San Silvestro
17a Piazza di S.Silvestro Roma
The church was built at the place where Pope Stephen II and Paul I lived. Three popes are buried here, Saint Sylvester I, Stephen I, and Denis. The bell tower attached to the back was built by Greek monks, who also did other work on the church to restore it. In 1285, the church was given to the Poor Clares. This church holds a relic of Saint John the Baptist ( in the chapel to the left of the entrance).
It also is one of the churches that the eyes of Mother Mary were seen to move in the paintings The Immaculate Conception ( in the chapel near the altar to the left), and The Descent of the Holy Spirit ( in the chapel across from the other painting) in 1796. Other relics that can be seen is an inscription talking about Saint Tarsicius, martyred under Emperor Valerian. It reads, Whoever you are who reads this', that as the prize of martyrdom was granted to the deacon Saint Stephen, who died by stoning, so might it be accorded to Tarsicius, who, though wounded, chose death rather than betray into the hands of 'rabid dogs' the Precious Body he was carrying. In small letters at the end of this inscription are the words: ex antiquis manuscriptis, meaning, 'taken from an old manuscript'.
Saint Tarsicius was just a boy when he died, his love for the Eucharist led him to his death. He was the only person willing to bring the Eucharist to christian prisoners. While on his way, he was joined by his pagan friends who discovered what he was holding and beat him to death. Even in the midst of being beaten, Tarsicius never let Him go.
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before You at the Basilica di San Silvestro, a sacred place dedicated to the memory of Pope Saint Silvester I, whose leadership helped shape the early Church. We thank You for this historic basilica, a beacon of faith and devotion through the ages.
As we reflect on the life and contributions of Saint Silvester, may we be inspired by his commitment to fostering unity and faith within the Church. Grant us the grace to emulate his dedication and to work towards harmony and peace in our own communities.
In this beautiful basilica, may we find a space for contemplation and prayer, drawing strength from the rich history of faith that surrounds us. Let it be a reminder of Your unending love and the guiding presence of the saints in our lives.
Bless all who visit San Silvestro, that they may be enriched by its sacred atmosphere and find encouragement in their spiritual journeys. May the intercession of Saint Silvester guide us as we seek to live lives of faithfulness and service.
Through the legacy of Saint Silvester and the early Church, may we be empowered to live out our faith with courage and integrity, always seeking to reflect Your love in all we do.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Recommended Nearby:
Basilica of San Clemente
A multi-layered church preserving early Christian relics and frescoes, much like San Silvestro’s deep connection to early Christianity.
See Also:
Rome Highlights - Self Guided Tour
Rome, the Eternal City. With thousands of years worth of history, deciding between hundreds of churches can be a daunting task. But don’t worry, it is absolutely possible to get a taste of Rome in just a few days. The EWTN Travel team picked 15 top spots around the city. In the video, we show you how you can see them all in three days. Let’s get started.
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