12 FEB - SAINT OF THE DAY [S BUONFIGLIO MONALDO (DIED 1251)]

 Monaldo was one of seven Florentines who had joined the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin in a particularly lax period in the city's history and who were inspired 

    by a vision on the feast of the Assumption to take up a life of solitude and prayer. After nearly 15 years of austerity at a hermitage on Monte Senario he took the 

    name in 1240 of Servants of Mary, or Servites. Six were ordained, developed as mendicant friars under the direction of James of Poggibonsi and Bishop Ardingo of Florence 

    and established many houses and foreign missions. Br. Buonfiglio served as its first Prior General. The Servite Order is known for their devotion to the Blessed Mother, 

    and her sufferings. They work to spread devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows through prayer and the Black Scapular. They followed the Rule of Saint Augustine. 

    Buonfiglio and the other founders of the order were canonized by Pope Leo XIII in 1887.





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