Today February 17

Today is the (new) feast of the Seven Founders of the Servite Order (13th century). These seven guys were "preoccupied with God" despite the troubling times they all lived in -- Florence was in the midst of a civil war and rampant with a particularly evil heresy (that of the Cathari, aka Albigensians) that held the body (and all matter) was created by Evil and all spirit by Goodness (God). This belief led them to abjure marriage, sex and even physical life itself (in some cases, going as far as suicide). Anyway, these seven guys, from all walks of life, joined in prayer and resolved to remove themselves from the world. One problem, though: two of the seven were currently married and two were widowers with dependent children. I think in this day and age, they would have come to the conclusion "That ship has sailed" and decided to remain lay. (Their wives could have said, "What part of 'Til death do us part' don't you understand?"). But they thought outside of the box in those days, and perhaps the prejudice in favor of the abstinent life helped, because, according to Butler's Lives, "It was necessary to make suitable provision for their dependents; but that was arranged, with the approval of the bishop, and they withdrew from the world." They really and truly felt they had a call, and I think they did -- future events seem to bear that out -- but how devastating to the wives left behind. Children, too, but children expect to make their way in the world and not to grow old side by side with their dads. A consolation for the ladies must have been somewhat akin to that of those whose husbands reveal to them that they are homosexuals -- "Well, at least it wasn't because I wasn't doing my part! I can't compete with that. He isn't leaving me for another woman!" Small consolation, eh?

But these seven delivered themselves over to a life of prayer and penance so well, or perhaps so curiously, that they began to be overwhelmed with visitors there in Florence. They took off to the wilds of Monte Senario and there lived like animals, according to Bishop Ardingo who visited them and remonstrated with them. They listened obediently to him and asked him what advice HE would give them. He said it called for praying, which they did, and a startlingly clear vision came to them all: Mary, holding a black habit, and an angel, holding a scroll with the words "Servants of Mary." They all returned to Florence, took the habit and the name and even got ordained, all but one: Brother Alexis. They were still pretty austere, but nothing like they had been on the mountain. Two became missionaries; Bonfilius died a "beautiful death in the midst of his brothers on New Year's night 1261"; another, Buonagiunta, died in chapel when the Passion narrative of St. John was read. "It is finished" -- and it was. And Alexis, the humble lay brother, outlived them all -- the only one who lived to see their order get papal approval. They'd tried for sixty years, but time after time they were set aside or ignored. But they never gave up, they never compromised, they never joined another order (which would have been allowed), and finally they were recognized. Seven Servites, pray for us.