The Seven Holy Founders were a group of Italian merchants from Florence who founded the Servites, a Roman Catholic religious order, in 1233. Canonized as saints in 1888, they include Bonfilius, Alexis Falconieri, John Bonagiunta, Benedict dell’Antella, Bartholomew Amidei, Gerard Sostegni, and Ricoverus Uguccione. After leaving their occupations and families to live a life of poverty and penance, they devoted themselves to the Virgin Mary and withdrew to a neighboring area of Florence called Cafaggio and lived a life based on the Gospel. Later they moved to Monte Senario, where they built a hermitage. The Servite order was formally approved by Pope Alexander IV in 1256.
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies.
Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style