St. Alexis - One of the Seven Holy Founders
As or young members embark on this new year of learning, let us commend them and their studies to the Lord through the intercession of St. Alexis, one of the seven holy founders, who is the patron of Servite Students. St. Alexis received this title because he trained his niece, St. Juliana in the ways of sanctity and faith.
Alexis was born in Florence in 1200 and died on 17 February, 1310, at Mount Senario, near Florence. He was the son of Bernard Falconieri, a merchant prince of Florence, and one of the leaders of the Republic. He joined the Laudesi, a pious confraternity of the Blessed Virgin, and there met the six future companions of his life of sanctity. He was favored with an apparition of the Mother of God on 15 August, 1233, as were these companions. The seven soon afterwards founded the Order of the Servites. With consistent loyalty and heroism Alexis at once abandoned all, and retired to La Camarzia, a house on the outskirts of the town, and the following year to Mt. Senario. With characteristic humility, he traversed, as a mendicant, in quest of alms for his brethren, the streets of the city through which he had lately moved as a prominent citizen. So deep and sincere was his humility that, though he lived to the great age of hundred and ten years, he always refused to enter the priesthood, of which he deemed himself unworthy.
The duties of our Saint were confined principally to the material needs of the various communities in which he lived. In 1252 the new church at Cafaggio, on the outskirts of Florence, was completed under his care. The miraculous image of the Annunciation, still highly venerated in Italy, had its origin here. St. Juliana Falconieri, his niece, was trained in sanctity under his personal direction. At his death, Alexis he was visited by the Infant Jesus in visible form, as was attested by eye-witnesses. Pope Clement XI declared Alexis worthy of the veneration of the faithful on 1 December, 1717, and accorded the same honor to his six companions on 3 July 1725. The Seven Holy Founders were canonized in 1888 and their feast day is 17 February.
Please join me this week in praying to St. Alexis for all of the students in our parish.
Lord,
Saint Alexis, to a venerable old age
provided young people
with a wonderful example of all the virtues
and faithful service to our Lady.
May he guide all of our students in their studies
and keep them in his care.
We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
