Tuesday, 17 February 2015 The Seven Holy Founders of the Order of Servites

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The Seven Holy Founders
of the Order of Servites
        Seven laymen of the city of Florence, in the mid-thirteenth century, renounced the world and lived as hermits on Monte Senario, about 12 miles from Florence.
        They had a particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary; they spent themselves in the care of others and eventually in preaching throughout Tuscany.
        The Order of Servites was founded from those who came to follow them, and was recognised by the Holy See in 1304.

History of the Seven Sorrows Rosary

"This devotion, which brings to mind the seven sorrows of Mary has a long history which began with the Servites (Servants of Mary) in Monte Senario, Italy about the time the order was started (1233), feast of the Assumption. Seven professional men from Florence, which was an important commercial center of Europe, were influenced by the repenting spirit common to the Brothers of Penance with whom they were in close contact. It is believed that Mary came to them and requested that they devote themselves to her service. In 1240 they withdrew from the world to pray and serve the Lord, leading a life of penance, prayer and service to 'St Mary'. Because of so many visitors, they retreated again to Monte Senario, nearby where Mary again visited the men. Here the Servites were formed. By 1244, under the direction of St. Peter of Verona, they began to wear a religious habit similar to the Dominicans and began to live under the rule of Saint Augustine. The order took on new life and before the end of the 14th century had over 100 convents throughout Europe, India and Crete. The Servites devoted their prayer to the rosary of the Seven Sorrows."

Mother of the Word

On July 2, 2001, the Holy See released a declaration of Bishop Augustin Misago of Gikongoro, on apparitions that took place in 1982-83 in Kibeho, Rwanda indicating that they were worthy of belief. Visionaries reported appearances by Mary who identified herself as Our Lady of the Word. Mary instructed one of the visionaries (Marie-Claire Mukangango) to spread devotion of the Seven Sorrows Rosary.

Promises regarding recitation

According to St. Bridget of Sweden, seven promises were made to those who meditate on Our Lady's Tears and Sorrows. [4] The Blessed Virgin grants seven graces to the souls who honour her daily by saying seven Hail Marys while meditating on her tears and Sorrows. These are:
1. I will grant peace to their families.
2. They will be enlightened about the Divine Mysteries.
3. I will console them in their pains and I will accompany them in their work.
4. I will give them as much as they ask for as long as it does not oppose the adorable will of my Divine Son or the sanctification of their souls.
5. I will defend them in their spiritual battles with the infernal enemy and I will protect them at every instant of their lives.
6. I will visibly help them at the moment of their death - they will see the face of their mother.
7. I have obtained this grace from my Divine Son, that those who propagate this devotion to my tears and Sorrows will be taken directly from this earthly life to eternal happiness, since all their sins will be forgiven and my Son will be their eternal consolation and joy.
(www.wikipedia.org)


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Little Handmaids of Our Sorrowful Mother
www.sorrowfulmother.net
And Mary said, "Behold I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word." (Lk 1:38)