The Seven Holy Founders established the Servites, also known as the Order of Friar Servants of St. Mary, in 1233 near Florence, Italy. The Roman Catholic order of mendicant friars received formal approval from Pope Alexander IV in 1256. The Seven Holy Founders, originally Florentine merchants, included Bonfilius, Alexis Falconieri, John Bonagiunta, Benedict dell’Antella, Bartholomew Amidei, Gerard Sostegni, and Ricoverus Uguccione. They joined together, living a penitential life, and devoted themselves to the Virgin Mary. The seven men were collectively canonized as saints in 1888.
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