The order's objectives are the sanctification of its members, the preaching of the Gospel, and the propagation of devotion to the Mother of God, with special reference to her sorrows.

[6] The distinctive spirit of the order is the sanctification of its members by meditation on the Passion of Jesus and the Sorrows of the Virgin Mary, and spreading abroad this devotion.

This was accomplished in March 1256, but about the same time a rescript was issued confirming the Servite Order as a separate body with power to elect a general.

Four years later a general chapter was convened at which the order was divided into two provinces, Tuscany and Umbria, the former being governed by Manettus and the latter by Sostene.

By the early years of the fourteenth century the order had more than one hundred houses in locations including Hungary, Bohemia, Austria, Poland, and what later became Belgium.

[7] The disturbances which arose during the Protestant Reformation caused the loss of many Servite houses in Germany, but in the south of France the order met with much success.

Thanks to secularizing inroads made by the Enlightenment, in 1783 the Servites were expelled from Prague and in 1785 the Emperor Joseph II desecrated the shrine of Maria Waldrast.

After the seizure of Rome under the Italian Risorgimento in 1870, the government of Italy closed the Servite house of studies in the city, along with many other papal institutions.

[13] The order continued to expand geographically throughout the twentieth century, taking responsibility for missions in Swaziland in 1913, Acre in Brazil in 1919, Aisén in Chile in 1937, and Zululand in South Africa.

It also made foundations in Argentina from 1914 and more solidly since 1921; Transvaal in South Africa from 1935, Uruguay in 1939, Bolivia in 1946, Mexico in 1948, Australia in 1951,[14][15] Venezuela in 1952, Colombia in 1953, India in 1974, Mozambique in 1984, Philippines in 1985, Uganda, Albania in 1993, and also the refoundations in Hungary (Eger) and the Czech Republic.

After the Second Vatican Council, the order renewed its Constitutions starting with its 1968 general chapter at Majadahonda, Madrid, a process which was concluded in 1987.

Through the centuries, the Servite Order has spread throughout the world, including all of Europe, parts of Africa, Australia, the Americas, India, and the Philippines.

Allegations of sexual assault on children by members of the Servite order surfaced in several jurisdictions in court filings, accompanied by demands for more transparency.

[17][18] [19] In common with all religious orders strictly so called, the Servites make solemn vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.

The particular object of the order is to sanctify first its own members, and then all men through devotion to the Mother of God, especially in her desolation during the Passion of her Divine Son.

[20] Canonized Servite saints are: Philip Benizi (feast day on 23 August), Peregrine Laziosi (4 May), Juliana Falconieri (19 June).

The sisters were the first to wear the religious habit publicly in that country after the Protestant Reformation and were active missionaries under Frederick William Faber and the Oratorians for many years.

The pontifical theological faculty Marianum which is now one of the leading centers of Mariology was established by the Servite Order in accord with its tradition of many centuries.

Saints Blesseds Venerables Servants of God Causes under Consideration Several of the most distinguished Servites are here grouped under the heading of that particular subject to which they were especially devoted; the dates are those of their death.