ST ALEXIS FALCONIERI, FOUNDER

ST ALEXIS FALCONIERI, FOUNDER - 17 FEBRUARY

SAINT ALEXIS FALCONIERI, FOUNDER

Saint Alexis Falconieri was born in Florence, 1200; he died February 17, 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. His family belonged to the Guelph party, and opposed the Imperialists whenever they could consistently with their political principles.

HIS HUMILITY

Alexis grew up in the practice of the most profound humility. 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 favoured with an apparition of the Mother of God, August 15, 1233, as were these companions. The seven soon afterwards founded the Order of the Servites.

THE ORDER OF THE SERVITES

With consistent loyalty and heroism Alexis at one abandoned all, and retired to La Camarzia, a house on the outskirts of the town, and the following year to Monte 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 him 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.

THE CHURCH AT CAFAGGIO

In 1252 the new church at Cafaggio, on the outskirts of Florence, was completed under his care, with the financial assistance of Chiarissimo Falconieri. 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. The influence exerted on his countrymen by Alexis and his companions may be gathered from the fact that in a few years ten thousand persons had enrolled themselves under the banner of the Blessed Virgin in the Servite Order.

HIS HOLY DEATH

At his death he was visited by the Infant Jesus in visible form, as was attested by eyewitnesses. His body rests near the church of the Annunciation, in Florence.

Clement XI declared Alexis worthy of the veneration of the faithful, December 1, 1717, and accorded the same honour to his six companions, July 3, 1725.

Source: Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Alexis may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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