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. They eventually 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

Pope Leo XIII canonized them all on 15 January 1888. The feast of the seven founders is 17 February, the date Alexis Falconieri, one of the seven died.

In 1240, seven noblemen of Florence mutually decided to withdraw from the city to a solitary place for prayer and direct service of God. Their initial difficulty was providing for their dependents, since two were still married and two were widowers.

Their aim was to lead a life of penance and prayer, but they soon found themselves disturbed by constant visitors from Florence. They next withdrew to the deserted slopes of Monte Senario.

In 1244, under the direction of Saint Peter of Verona, O.P., this small group adopted a religious habit similar to the Dominican habit, choosing to live under the Rule of St. Augustine and adopting the name of the Servants of Mary. The new Order took a form more like that of the mendicant friars than that of the older monastic Orders.


Members of the community came to the United States from Austria in 1852 and settled in New York and later in Philadelphia. The two American provinces developed from the foundation made by Father Austin Morini in 1870 in Wisconsin.

Community members combined monastic life and active ministry. In the monastery, they led a life of prayer, work and silence while in the active apostolate they engaged in parochial work, teaching, preaching, and other ministerial activities.

• The Servites are also known as the Servants of Mary. 
• The Servites take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. 
• The Servites focus on serving Mary Most Sorrowful. 
• The Servites have a rosary called the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows. 
• The Servites also practice the Via Matris. 
• The Servites serve others through education, hospitality, and missions. 
• The Servites have a Secular Order that includes men and women from all walks of life. 
• The Secular Servants of Mary have a rule of life, postulancy, novitiate, and profession. 
• The Secular Servants of Mary also participate in holy hours, retreats, and acts of mercy. 

Prayers to Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order 

Dearest Founders of the Servite Order, you obeyed the call of Our Lady. From that obedience, God raised up an army of servants who have spent centuries sharing His love and mercy with the world. Pray for me, that I may always obey God's will and serve Him alongside those whom God