Saint Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order

The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order (Bonfilius, Alexis, Manettus, Amadeus, Hugh, Sostene and Buonagiunta) were seven men of the town of Florence who became bound to each other in a spiritual friendship and started the Servite Order in the 13th century. They felt called by Mary, mother of Jesus, towards whom they practised an intense devotion. They reported a vision, apparently shared by all separately at the same moment. None of them was aware that the others also had experienced it. The call was to "leave the world, the better to serve almighty God". Bonfilius was born Bonfilius Monaldi (Italian: Buonfiglio dei Monaldi), Alexis was born Alexis Falconieri (Alessio Falconieri; 1200 – 17 February 1310), Manettus was born Benedict dell'Antella (Benedetto dell' Antella), Amadeus born Bartholemew Amidei (also Bartolomeo degli Amidei; died 1265), Hugh was born Ricovero Uguccioni (Ricovero dei Lippi-Ugguccioni)), Sostene was born Gerardino Sostegni (Gherardino di Sostegno) and Buonagiunta was born John Manetti (Giovanni di Buonagiunta, or Bonajuncta). They were beatified as a group on 1717 and canonized in 1888. Falconieri was one of the seven founders of the Servite Order, who are celebrated together on the anniversary of his death. He was the son of Bernardo Falconieri, a merchant prince of Florence, and one of the leaders of the Republic. His family belonged to the Guelph party. In keeping with their political principles, they took every opportunity to frustrate a Ghibelline (imperialist cause). In those days the Ghibellines in Florence had become tainted with Catharism. Notwithstanding prospects as a wealthy nobleman in one of Italy's richest and most cultured cities, Falconieri grew up practising the most profound humility. Falconieri joined the Laudesi, a pious Marian confraternity, where he met the six who were to accompany him on his consecrated life. Apparently he experienced a Marian apparition on 15 August 1233, as did his six companions.