17 Feb – Memorial for The Seven Holy Founders of the Order of Servites
The Order of the Servants of Mary (Servites) was named the fifth mendicant order by Pope Martin V. It was founded in 1233 by Sts. Alexis Falconieri, Bartholomew degli Amidei, Benedict dell’Antella, Buonfiglio Monaldi, Gherardino Sostegni, Hugh dei Lippi-Uguccioni, and John Buonagiunta Monetti.
They were beatified on 1 December 1717, and canonized on 1887 as The Seven Holy Founders. On the Feast of the Assumption in 1240, the Founders received a vision of Our Lady. She held in her hand a black habit, and a nearby angel bore a scroll reading ‘Servants of Mary’. Mary told them:
“You will found a new order, and you will be my witnesses throughout the world. This is your name: Servants of Mary. This is your rule: that of St. Augustine. And here is your distinctive sign: the black scapular, in memory of my sufferings.”
From their first establishment at La Camarzia, near Florence, they moved to the more secluded Monte Senario where the Blessed Virgin herself conferred on them their habit, instructing them to follow the Rule of St. Augustine and to admit associates. The official approval for the order was obtained in 1249, confirmed in 1256, suppressed in 1276, definitely approved in 1304, and again by Brief in 1928. The order was so rapidly diffused that by 1285, there were 10,000 members with houses in Germany, France, Italy and Spain; and, early in the 14th century, it numbered 100 convents, besides missions in Crete and India.
The Reformation reduced the order in Germany, but it flourished elsewhere. Again meeting with political reverses in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, it nevertheless prospered, being established in England in 1867, and in America in 1870.
The Servites take solemn vows and venerate in a special manner the ‘Seven Dolours of Our Lady’. They cultivate both the interior and the active life, giving missions and teaching. An affiliation, professing exclusively the contemplative life is that of the ‘Hermits of Monte Senario’. It was reinstated in France in 1922.
Cloistered nuns, forming a Second Order, have been affiliated with the Servites since 1619 when Blessed Benedicta di Rossi called the nuns of her community ‘Servite Hermitesses’. They have been established in England, Spain, Italy, the Tyrol, and Germany.
A Third Order, the Mantellate, founded by St. Juliana Falconieri under St. Philip Benizi (c. 1284) has houses in Italy, France, Spain, England, Canada and the United States. Secular tertiaries and a confraternity of the Seven Dolours are other branches.
- Patron Saint Index
Jas 1:12-18
Mk 8:14-21
“Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you not yet understand? Have you no perception? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes that do not see, ears that do not hear?”
When I read the above passage, I can imagine how sad Jesus must have felt.Perhaps a little frustrated, but more so, sadness in the hardness of heart of the disciples. Think about it for one second. Jesus had just performed a fantastic miracle of feeding five thousand people with seven loaves of bread and a few fish. They got into a boat to travel to the other shore when Jesus warned them about the ‘leaven of the Pharisees’, and what did the disciples immediately think? They thought of the one loaf of bread they had in the boat, worried that it was not enough when they had left behind lots of leftovers on shore. They did not understand what Jesus was saying to them.
Upon reading the passage again, it cuts me to the quick. I can almost see the sadness in Jesus’ eyes and hear the sorrow in His voice. He had spent almost three years teaching them about God and His kingdom — His love, His (new) covenant and commandments. But it seemed to have fallen on deaf ears, much like a classroom of young children who did not pay attention to the lessons.
Then it hit me hard. I am the one that Jesus is speaking to. I am the one without perception, the one who has eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear. My mind and heart are closed, and my memory is focused on the short term. How many times does Jesus have to warn me about the pitfalls, the traps that are set before me? How many times does he have to warn me about paying attention to the ‘leaven of the Pharisees’ or to the worldly desires around me? Every time I walk away or choose unwisely, I have closed my eyes, shut my ears and refuse to listen to the Lord. Every time I turn away from what is right and just, I shutter the doors to my heart and mind and reject God. Every time I choose to satisfy my ego, my own path, my desires for the fleeting moment of ‘happiness’, instead of focusing on, and trusting in, the love and mercy of my God, I am effectively acting like the child who refuses to listen or behaving like the disciples in the boat.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent — one of the most important liturgical seasons for the Catholic Church. Let us take the next 40 days to really reflect on our hearts and minds. Where does our love and loyalty really rest? Perhaps we could align it with the Lord’s love and mercy for us; and in doing so, we can ease the pain and anguish of our suffering Lord, even offer Him some comfort for all that He has done for us.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Winnie Kung)
Prayer: My suffering Lord, I am deeply sorry at causing You any anguish or pain. I am so sorry for turning away and beg for Your grace to walk in Your love and mercy.
Thanksgiving: Heavenly Father, as we enter the season of Lent, we want to thank you for all that You have done for us. Sending Your only Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, to come and save us. For loving us, despite our brokenness, our weakness, and our sinfulness. Thank you for Your unending love and mercy.
OXYGEN 
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