[Rank]
S. Sylverii Papae Martyri;;Simplex;;1.1;;vide C2

[Rule]
vide C3;
OPapaM=Sylvester;
1 et 2 lectiones

[Ant 1]
This man is holy * for he hath striven for the law of his God even unto death, and hath not feared for the words of the ungodly; For he had his foundation upon a strong rock.

[Versum 1]
V. Thou hast crowned him with glory and honour, O Lord.
R. And madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands.

[Oratio]
Mercifully consider our weakness, O Almighty God, and whereas by the burden of our sins we are sore let Silverii Pape your Martyr be mercifully pleased to deliver us from all things which may hurt our bodies, and from all evil thoughts which may defile our souls
$Per Dominum

[Lectio2]
This Silverius was a native of Campania, and succeeded Agapitus in the Papacy (in the year 536.) His orthodoxy and holiness shone brightest in his onslaughts upon heretics, and he showed admirable firmness in upholding a sentence by Agapitus. Agapitus had deposed Anthimus from the Patriarchate of Constantinople for defending Save the heresy of Eutyches; and Silverius would never allow of his restoration, although the Empress Theodora repeatedly asked him to do so. 

[Lectio3]
The woman was enraged at him on this account, and ordered Bellisarius to send Silverius into exile. He was accordingly banished to the island of Ponza, whence he is said to have written these words to Bishop Amator I am fed upon the bread of tribulation and the water of affliction, but nevertheless I have not given up, and I will not give up, doing my duty. But sickness and the hardships of his exile soon broke his strength, and he fell asleep in the Lord upon the 20th day of June (in the year of grace 538.) Many miracles shed a lustre upon his grave. He ruled the Church for more than three years, and ordained in the month of December thirteen Priests, five Deacons, and nineteen Bishops for divers Sees.
&teDeum

[Ant 2]
He that hateth his life * in this world, shall keep it unto life eternal.

[Versum 2]
V. The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree.
R. He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.
