Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order | |
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Venerated in | Roman Catholic Church |
Beatified | 1 December 1717 by Clement XI |
Canonized | 15 January 1888 by Pope Leo XIII |
Feast | 17 February |
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".
Bonfilius was born Bonfilius Monaldi (Buonfiglio dei Monaldi), Alexis was born Alexis Falconieri (Italian: 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 (Hugh dei Lippi Uggucioni (Ricovero dei Lippi-Ugguccioni)), Sostene was born Gerardino Sostegni (Gherardino di Sostegno) and Buonagiunta was born John Manetti (Giovanni di Buonagiunta (Bonajuncta)).[1][2]