Founders of the Servants of Mary

Today is actually the day we remember all of the founding fathers of the Servite Order.  The Servite Order is a community instituted for the special purpose of cultivating the spirit of penance and contemplating the passion of Christ and Mary's Seven Sorrows.  In 1233, God called seven men from the nobility of Florence who met and prayed together. The Blessed Mother appeared to each of them individually and urged them to begin a more perfect life. Disregarding birth and wealth, in sackcloth under shabby and well-worn clothing they withdrew to a small building in the country.  Among these men was today's saint.

St. Alexis Falconieri

Feast day: February 17
Birth: 1200

Death: 1310
Patron of the city of Orvieto (Italy)
Italy
Wealthy merchant

Alexis was born into a wealthy family and although he had all that he wanted, he was a humble child that grew in humility as a man.  Alexis joined the Laudesi, a pious confraternity of the Blessed Virgin, and there met the six future companions of his life of sanctity.

In August of 1233, he was graced with a vision of the Virgin Mary who encouraged him to a life more deeply served in prayer.  His fellow companions also received similar visions.  The seven soon afterwards founded the Order of the Servites. Alexis at once abandoned all, and retired to La Camarzia, a house on the outskirts of the town.  Before long they found themselves with constant visitors from Florence that they decided to withdraw to the wild and deserted slopes of Monte Senario, where they built a simple church and hermitage and lived a life of almost incredible austerity.  They also refused other men as they felt theirs was a special calling.  However, the bishop and then a cardinal came to offer advice to them.  The cardinal warned, "You treat yourselves in a manner bordering on barbarity: and you seem more desirous of dying to time than of living for eternity. Take heed: the enemy of souls often hides himself under the appearance of an angel of light . . . Hearken to the counsels of your superiors."

By the wish of the bishop, all except St. Alexis, were fully professed and ordained priests. Alexis often traveled the same area where he once lived a wealthy life, but now he was in clothes of the beggar to ask for alms.  Alexis was so humble that he considered himself unworthy to become a priest and lived his life as a lay brother within the order.  It would not be until 1304, over sixty years after its foundation, that it received the explicit and formal approval from the pope.

Alesix died in one of the monasteries established during his life time.  He was the last of the Servite Order founders and the only one to see the order formally recognized.

Other leaders of the Servites:

Buonfiglio Monaldo (died January 1, 1261)
Benedict dell' Antella (died August 20, 1268)
Bartholomew Amidei (died February 12, 1266)
Ricovero Uguccione (died May 3, 1282)
Gerardino Sostegni (May 3, 1282)
John Buonagiunta (died 1256)