From June, 1974 Michaeleen

    The Good Lord chose Tuesday, May 28th to call our Brother Sylvester Anderson, O.S.B. from his service on earth. Brother Sylvester was one of the founding monks of Mount Michael Abbey in fact the first monk to set foot on the grounds.

The former Chester Anderson, Brother Sylvester was born September 3, 1904 at LaHapre, Kansas and at a very early age his family moved and made their home in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended De LaSalle High School in Kansas City where he starred in football, basketball and baseball. After graduating from De LaSalle, Brother Sylvester enrolled at Rockhurst College in Kansas City where he became one of the schools most outstanding athletes.

After some years in the insurance business, Brother Sylvester decided that there must be more important things than just making a living or acquiring a fortune. For this reason he applied to Conception Abbey in Missouri for admission as a Benedictine Oblate. He was accepted and made his oblation under the name Brother Sylvester on December 24, 1948. When Conception Abbey decided to found Mount Michael, Brother Sylvester was one of the first monks sent to take possession of the property donated by Mr. Rex Olson for that purpose.

While at Mount Michael Brother served as infirmarian and assistant librarian. The former position endeared him to many students who have attended Mount Michael High School. Brother’s death was sudden and brought on by an apparent heart attack. A vigil service led by Rt. Rev. Raphael Walsh, O.S.B., was held in on Wednesday evening in the Abbey Chapel. A con-celebrated Mass of the resurrection was offered for Brother on Thursday, May 30 and he was laid to rest in the Mount Michael Abbey Cemetery.