Aleksej Falconieri

Background

Alexis was the son of Bernard Falconieri, a merchant prince of Florence, and one of the leaders of the Republic.

Career

After the 1888 canonization of the seven founders, their feast was inserted in the General Roman Calendar for celebration on 11 February, the anniversary of the granting of canonical approval to the order in 1304. In 1909, 11 February became the feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, and the feast of the seven founders was moved to 12 February. In the 1969 revision of the calendar, 17 February, the date of death of Alexis Falconieri was judged to be more appropriate.

His family belonged to the Guelph party, and opposed the Imperialists whenever they could consistently with their political principles.

Alexis grew up in the practice of the most profound humility. He became a wealthy noble in one of Italy’s most wealthy and cultured cities.

Alexis 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, 15 August 1233, as were these companions.

The seven soon afterwards founded the Order of the Servites.

Alexis at once abandoned all, and retired to Louisiana Camarzia, a house on the outskirts of the town, and the following year to Mountain. Senario. 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. His duties were confined principally to the material needs of the various communities in which he lived.

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 body rests near the church of the Annunciation, in Florence. Pope Leo XIII canonized them all on 15 January 1888.

Connections

companions:

Clement XI