Father
Sylvester Toomey, O.S.B.
Fr. Sylvester, (whose birth name was Thomas) was a pioneer
for our American Priory. Born in 1923, he was the
first member of our Sylvestrine-Benedictine Congregation
to profess his vows in the United States at the age of
20. He was sent to Rome where he engaged in his
studies for the priesthood and was ordained in 1950.
He served at St. Sylvester Monastery in Detroit, then
continued ministry at Holy Face Monastery in Clifton New
Jersey at the time when that religious house had just been
established. It is there that he spent most of his
years serving the people of God. As he had grown
older, one of his legs had to be amputated because
diabetic complications. Soon after the operation, he
lived in a nursing home in New Jersey and later was
transferred to Lourdes Nursing Home in Waterford Township,
where he became one of the most popular patients.
Fr. Sylvester who was known at the nursing home for his
kindness and cordiality was in the prayerful presence of
some Dominican Sisters (of Oxford) and other staff members
during his last hours of life. As his health began
to decline and many of the staff at Lourdes feared that
his death was eminent. Fr. Jerome Kriege, the
chaplain there and a dear friend of our community gave him
the Sacrament of Sick (anointing) shortly before he died
on Friday, September 29, 2000. Our monks from
Detroit) and many friends of Fr. Sylvester said goodbye to
him at a funeral which was held here at St. Benedict
Monastery.
Eternal
rest grant to him O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May he rest in peace. Amen.
