The Institute of St. Sybian, Calabria, Italy

Among the orange groves and gardens near the site of ancient Sybaris in the region of Calabria, the St. Sybian Institute flourishes in its efforts to spread the message of St. Sybian and promote official recognition of her Sainthood. It sponsors many educational programs including a summer-long youth camp, and multiple seminars in the arts including music, dance, photography, the culinary arts and wine tasting. The Institute operates two seminaries leading to priesthood for young women, one on the grounds of the Institute and the other on the Sybian Estate, a retreat center outside of Chicago, Illinois, in the United States (more information on the Estate below.)




Recent Activities at the Institute

This year, we initiated what we hope to be an annual festival dedicated to St. Sybian, held on her feast-day, the day of the summer solstice. Among the events:



The young girls of Sybaris, re-enacting the “Dives of Sybian”, by which she sacrificed her own life to save the city. It is a contest among the girls to see who can stay submerged the longest.


Inaugural Performance at New Amphitheatre


Dancers at the performance of the music pageant,“MALOCCHIO DEL AMORE”, by Felix Sebastian Culpa. Years ago, the premiere performance of this composition caused a police riot, and led to the trial, conviction and banishment of the composer. This year’s performance was dedicated to the late Patrick Lockwood, who worked for the Institute as scribe and musicologist, helping to piece together the scraps of the musical score destroyed by the Poliza.


The Institute's Museum and Archives are now open!!

Also new to the Institute is the museum, featuring images of St. Sybian by artists through the ages, as well as objects of art suggestive of the “Vita Voluptua” way of life of the saint. Following are some examples:







The archives, which consist of the original manuscripts of Felix Sebastian Culpa, as well as correspondence between Felix and Mia, Maxine and Pedro, the transcript of Culpa’s trial, and his eventual pardon, is open to researchers by prior appointment only.

We're Branching Out!!!

The Sybian Estate of Chicago

Located in between unincorporated Malvina and Lunts Townships, approximately 40 miles from downtown Chicago, near the area forest preserve, The Sybian Estate affords those wishing to pursue the spiritual teachings and voluptuous practices of St. Sybian of Sybaris, a place for lush solitude and sensuous interaction with unadulterated nature. It is available for private, as well as group retreats







Ramona, High Priestess and Retreat Director



Closing Ceremonies from a recent retreat.












“ST SYBIAN SEMINARY AND PREPRATORY SCHOOL”


The Estate is also home to our Seminary and Preparatory School for young women wishing to pursue further studies in Sybian’s “Vita Voluptua.”, with the goal of becoming priestesses, as well as minors in Music, Creative Dance, Photography, Massage Therapy, the Culinary Arts and Oenology. Our catalog of Course Offerings is still being proof read and will be available soon.



Francesca, High Priestess and Director of the Education.



Spiritual counseling available from our adjunct advisors, Father Ernie Raynor (above) and his nephew, Father Jerry Raynor (below.)




Our Students





Some pictures of the Preparatory School student body

Vanessa, Pedro Yarez's Grandaughter


Chrysallis, believed to be of the direct blood-line of Sybian is a third-year student at the Estate’s Seminary.




Student of the Month



We at the Estate are proud of the way Samantha has been growing up. While it is always tempting to think of her as the “Little Samantha”, who first came to the estate as part of a field trip for Father Ernie’s altargirls, she is quickly becoming a standout in terms of physical beauty and academic achievement. Some of her poetry will be included in future editions of this newsletter. She is also at the top of the “Chants and Dance” junior postulate class. She remains the chief aid to Fr. Ernie

News of the "Not-So-Curious" Curia

Finally bowing to public opinion, and a not too subtle form of coercion by Felix Culpa, the Vatican has set up a committee
to investigate the life and character of Sybian of Sybaris, to see if she might qualify for beatification, a step along the road to sainthood, and have requested a copy of Milo’s Biographical Notes on Sybian (last posting.)



They have appointed Fr. Ted Chambers and Fr. Bruce Foster, American-born doctoral candidates at the North American College in Rome to do the initial paperwork, and report to Giovanni Cardinal Testadura and his brother, Guiseppe Cardinal Testadura (below)



The Testadura brothers have been successful in the past in tabling, and eventually losing in the paper shuffle, other populist initiatives. But rumors in the robe rooms of the Vatican have the Testaduras envisioning a “tag-team” papacy not too far down the line, and might like to ride a popular issue to the throne. If you wish to communicate directly with the Cardinals, correspondence can be sent to “The Pontifical Council on the Causes of Saints, Vatican City.”

Followers of St. Sybian have an ally in the Vatican--- a nun, a member of the order of Passionate Sisters of St Paul of the Cross, who operates in a clerical function. She has been a devotee of St. Sybian and a close friend of Maxine and Mia from before she took her vows. She is so close to the operations of the Church her codename is “Madame Curia.”





“Madame Curia” has been organizing covert devotional ceremonies, such as the one pictured above, to the veneration of Sybian and emphasizing the more physical aspects of the Creator’s gifts to his children. (One participant told me, half in jest, “Let’s just say the wine is considerably better.” )