Order of St. Sylvester

Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Sylvester Pontifex Maximus
  • Ordo Sancti Silvestri Papae (Latin)
  • Ordine di San Silvestro Papa (Italian)
Knight's cross of the Order of St. Sylvester
Awarded by the  Holy See
TypePapal order of knighthood
Established1841; 183 years ago (1841)
Religious affiliationCatholic
Motto
StatusCurrently constituted
First headPope Pius X
SovereignPope Francis
Classes
  • Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GCSS)
  • Knight/Dame Commander with Star (KC*SS/DC*SS)
  • Knight/Dame Commander (KCSS/DCSS)
  • Knight/Dame (KSS/DSS)
Statistics
First induction7 February 1905
Precedence
Next (higher)Order of St. Gregory the Great
Next (lower)Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice

Ribbon bar of the order

The Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Sylvester (Latin: Ordo Sancti Silvestri Papae, Italian: Ordine di San Silvestro Papa), sometimes referred to as the Sylvestrine Order, or the Pontifical Order of Pope Saint Sylvester, is one of five orders of knighthood awarded directly by the Pope as Supreme Pontiff and head of the Catholic Church and as the Head of State of Vatican City. It is intended to honour Catholic laypeople who are actively involved in the life of the Church, particularly as it is exemplified in the exercise of their professional duties and mastership of the different arts.