Seven Holy Helpers

 

Seven Holy Helpers

(Seven Florenctine businessmen led by the Blessed Virgin Mary to establish the Servants of Mary,

known as the Servite Friars or Servite Fathers)

 

Also known as: Seven Servites

 

The businessmen were members of the Confraternity of Our Lady in Florence, Italy. They were: Bonfilio Monaldo; Alexis Falconieri; (Benedict) Manettus dell’ Antello; Bartholomew Amidei (or Rocovero); Uguccio Uguccione (or Gherardino); Sostenes Sostegno; and (John) Buonagiunta Monetti. In 1233, the businessmen, all well-to-do, were between the ages of 27 and 35, and had been members of the confraternity for five years.

 

They were quite concerned about the lifestyles they saw around them: excessive immorality, humanism and materialism. At their meetings, they prayed and sang songs to Mary. After receiving Communion at the Feast of the Assumption, the seven shared a mutual mystical experience that changed their lives. A supernaturally bright light appeared, and in the center was Mary surrounded by a host of angels. She said to them: “Leave the world and retire together in solitude in order to fight yourselves. Live wholly for God. You will thus experience heavenly consolations. My protection and assistance will never fail you.” Thus fired, the men received the blessings of the confraternity and the bishop of Florence.

 

They sold their possessions, gave the money to the poor and left their families to live in a dilapidated farmhouse outside of town. They intended only to live in extreme mortification and penance. They begged for food. Many townspeople considered them cranks. They were unofficially dubbed “the Servants of Mary.” In May 1234, Mary appeared in another vision and directed them to go farther away, to Mt. Senario, and live even more austerely. They did as instructed. Some lived in caves on the mountainside; some subsisted solely on herbs. They maintained silence for prolonged periods of time.

 

So severe was their lifestyle that once a visiting cardinal, shocked, ordered them to be kinder to themselves. Despite their austerity, other young men asked to join them. They were given a sign on February 27, 1239 the third Sunday of Lent when they discovered that a grapevine they had planted was blooming and had ripe fruit, while other vines remained frostbitten. The bishop told them that this meant others would join the order. On Good Friday, April 13, 1239, Mary appeared to the seven after they had finished their night prayers. She said, “beloved and elect Servants, I have come to grant your prayers. Here is the habit which I wish you to wear henceforth. It is black that it may always remind you of the keen sorrow which I experienced through my son’s crucifixion and death.

 

This scroll bearing the words ‘Servants of Mary’ indicates the name by which you are to be known. This book contains the Rule of St. Augustine. By following it you will gain these palms in heaven, if you serve me faithfully on earth!” Mary gave the same message to the bishop, who approved the new Order of Servants of Mary. Six of the original seven entered the priesthood; one remained a lay brother. Within a few years, there were more than 100 houses. Women became Servite nuns. The order gave the Church the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and greatly increased the popularity of the Sorrowful Mother Novena.