02:56
Irapuato
2.9K
The Seven Servite Founders Feb. 17 breski1 on Feb 17, 2011 Can you imagine seven prominent men of Boston or Denver banding together, leaving their homes and professions, and going into solitude for a …More
The Seven Servite Founders Feb. 17

breski1 on Feb 17, 2011 Can you imagine seven prominent men of Boston or Denver banding together, leaving their homes and professions, and going into solitude for a life directly given to God? That is what happened in the cultured and prosperous city of Florence in the middle of the 13th century. The city was torn with political strife as well as the heresy of the Cathari, who believed that physical reality was inherently evil. Morals were low and religion seemed meaningless.
In 1240 seven noblemen of Florence mutually decided to withdraw from the city to a solitary place for prayer and direct service of God. Their initial difficulty was providing for their dependents, since two were still married and two were widowers.
Their aim was to lead a life of penance and prayer, but they soon found themselves disturbed by constant visitors from Florence. They next withdrew to the deserted slopes of Monte Senario.