Today, February 17, is the memorial of the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order.
The seven holy founders were Buonfiglio dei Monaldi, Giovanni di Buonagiunta, Bartolomeus degli Amidei, Hugh dei Lippi-Ugguccioni, Benedetto dell’ Antella, Gherardino di Sostegno, and Alessio de’ Falconieri.
These men came from wealthy families in Florence, Italy and decided to live as hermits. They received a vision of the Blessed Virgin. She held in her hand a black habit, and a nearby angel carried a scroll that read “Servants of Mary.”
Mary told the seven, “You will found a new order, and you will be my witnesses throughout the world. This is your name: Servants of Mary. This is your rule: that of Saint Augustine. And here is your distinctive sign: the black scapular, in memory of my sufferings.”
The Servite Order is one of the five original Catholic mendicant orders (the others are the Carmelites, Dominicans, Franciscans, and Augustinians). The Servites’ objects are the sanctification of its members, preaching of the Gospel, meditation on the Passion of Jesus, and the propagation of devotion to the Mother of God, with special reference to her sorrows.
They were beatified in 1717 by Pope Clement XI. The holy founders were canonized in 1888 by Pope Leo XIII.