Alexis Falconieri
Alexis Falconieri was one of the seven founders of the Servite Order, a mendicant religious order established in 13th-century Florence. He is remembered for his profound humility, his abandonment of worldly possessions, and his role in the early development and spiritual direction of the order.
- Feast Day
- February 17
- Century
- 14th century
- Country Or Region
- Italy
Key Facts
- ›He was born Alexis Falconieri in Florence, the son of a wealthy merchant prince and a leader of the Republic.
- ›Falconieri experienced a Marian apparition on August 15, 1233, along with six companions, which led to the founding of the Servite Order.
- ›He abandoned all worldly things and retired to La Camarzia, later moving to Monte Senario where a hermitage and church were founded.
- ›He was known for practising profound humility and wandered as a mendicant seeking alms for his brethren.
- ›Falconieri never entered the priesthood and was bestowed the titles of Founder and Mystic.
- ›He died on February 17, 1310, at approximately 110 years of age.
Alessio Falconieri
About Alexis Falconieri
Alexis Falconieri (1200 – 17 February 1310)
Alexis Falconieri was one of the seven founders of the Servite Order, a religious order established in Florence during the 13th century. Born into a prominent merchant family of the Guelph party, Alexis renounced a life of wealth and privilege to pursue a path of profound humility and spiritual devotion.
Life and Historical Context
Born Alessio Falconieri in 1200, he was the son of Bernardo Falconieri, a merchant prince and a leader in the Republic of Florence. Despite his noble background, Alexis embraced humility and joined the Laudesi, a Marian confraternity. It was here he met the six other men who would become his companions in founding the Servite Order. According to tradition, they all experienced a shared Marian apparition on August 15, 1233, which prompted them to leave secular life to better serve God.
Soon after this experience, Alexis and his companions founded the Order of the Servites. Alexis immediately relinquished all worldly possessions and retired to a hermitage. He was later bestowed the titles of Founder and Mystic. The order's rule was influenced by Saint Augustine and the Dominican Constitutions, and they adopted a black habit, living as friars within towns. The Servite Order received recognition in 1259 and solemn approval from Pope Benedict XI in 1304, becoming one of the twelve Mendicant orders.
Alexis Falconieri notably practiced intense humility, even wandering as a mendicant to seek alms for his brethren on the streets of Florence, mirroring the examples of Francis of Assisi and Saint Dominic. He never entered the priesthood. Beyond prayer and preaching, he was instrumental in providing for the religious communities, overseeing the completion of a new church at Cafaggio in 1252 with financial assistance from his relative, Chiarissimo Falconieri. His influence also led his niece, Juliana Falconieri, to a consecrated life.
Legacy and Veneration
Alexis Falconieri died at Monte Senario on February 17, 1310, at approximately 110 years of age. His body and shrine are located near the church of the Santissima Annunziata in Florence. He was beatified by Pope Clement XI on December 1, 1717, and later canonized by Pope Leo XIII along with his six companions on January 15, 1888, as part of the group known as the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order. Their feast day is celebrated on February 17, the anniversary of Alexis Falconieri's death, which was deemed more appropriate in a later revision of the liturgical calendar.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order?
The Seven Holy Founders of the Servite Order were seven men from Florence: Bonfilius Monaldi, Alexis Falconieri, Benedict dell'Antella, Bartholemew Amidei, Ricovero Uguccioni, Gerardino Sostegni, and John Manetti. They felt a spiritual calling and established the Servite Order in the 13th century.
What is Alexis Falconieri remembered for?
Alexis Falconieri is primarily remembered as one of the seven founders of the Servite Order. He is noted for his profound humility, his abandonment of worldly possessions to serve God, and his early involvement in the order's development, retiring to Monte Senario and being given the titles of Founder and Mystic.
When did Alexis Falconieri live and die?
Alexis Falconieri was born in 1200 and died on February 17, 1310. He lived to be approximately 110 years old.
What significant event led to the founding of the Servite Order?
The founding of the Servite Order was preceded by a reported Marian apparition on August 15, 1233, which Alexis Falconieri and his six companions experienced separately at the same moment. This vision called them to "leave the world, the better to serve almighty God."
Was Alexis Falconieri a priest?
No, Alexis Falconieri never entered the priesthood. Like Saint Francis of Assisi and Saint Dominic, he followed a path that did not involve ordination.
Related Saints
Hugh dei Lippi Uggucioni
Hugh dei Lippi Uggucioni was one of the seven founders of the Servite Order, established in Florence in the 13th century. He is remembered for his role in the order's early development and for his subsequent service as vicar general in Germany. His life and the founding of the Servite Order are marked by a spiritual friendship and a call to serve God.
Amadio degli Amidei
Amadio degli Amidei was one of the seven founders of the Servite Order, a group of Florentine men who felt called by Mary to serve God in the 13th century. He is remembered as a co-founder of this mendicant order, which was officially recognized and approved by the Church. He was beatified as part of the group of founders and later canonized.
Philip Benizi de Damiani
Philip Benizi was a general superior of the Servites, credited with reviving the order during a period of crisis. He is known for his piety, ascetic devotions, and for his role in the reconciliation of the city of Forlì. His life and miracles are commemorated in various churches and artistic works.