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.

[3][4] Notwithstanding prospects as a wealthy nobleman in one of Italy's richest and most cultured cities, Falconieri grew up practising the most profound humility.

[5] Falconieri joined the Laudesi, a pious Marian confraternity, where he met the six who were to accompany him on his consecrated life.

Falconieri at once abandoned all worldly things, and retired to La Camarzia, a house on the outskirts of the town.

As a pious strategy to combat clerical corruption in those times, becoming a mendicant was a not uncommon spiritual development, Francis of Assisi and Saint Dominic having furnished but the most illustrious models only a generation earlier.

Like Anthony the Great, Benedict of Nursia and St Francis, Alexis never entered the priesthood.

[4] Beyond preaching and his life of prayer, Alexis' principal endeavour was providing for the various religious communities where he lived.

Under his influence, his niece Juliana Falconieri decided at a young age to follow the consecrated life.

His entombed body and shrine is near the church of the Santissima Annunziata in Florence, which is served by the order.

[8] After following Philip Benizi to France and Germany, another founder, Hugh dei Lippi Ugguccioni remained there to serve as the vicar general.