Bro. Robert Sylvester, CSC Takes Final Vows

On Saturday, August 21, Brother Robert Sylvester, C.S.C., 64, took his final vows of poverty, chastity and obedience at St. Joseph Chapel in Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame. Brother Chester Freel, C.S.C., Provincial Superior of the Midwest Province, received Bro. Robert’s vows. Rev. Thomas Lemos, C.S.C., former Novice Master of the Holy Cross Novitiate, Cascade, CO., was the principal celebrant and homilist for the Mass. The choir was composed of Brothers, Sisters, Sister Novices of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, along with residents of Holy Cross Village.

Bro. Robert's background is unique to the Brothers of Holy Cross. His son, Jared, assisted in the ceremony by presenting the religious insignia: medal and wooden cross to his father. Jared’s wife, Mary, read the first reading at Mass.

For most of his adult life Bro. Robert was a lawyer in Washington, D.C. He left his law practice to study theology at the University of Notre Dame. Five years ago, he entered Bessette House and there decided to enter the Brothers of Holy Cross. Bro. Robert is Director of the Initiative on Spirituality in the Professions at the Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame. This past year he has been offering spiritual care presence to the Washington, D.C., legal community. His goal is to develop a chaplaincy to lawyers program sponsored by Notre Dame.

A reception was held following the ceremony in the Great Room of Andre Place at Holy Cross Village.

(Thanks to our Midwest Midweek Bulletin for this story and pictures!)