The Servants of Mary, commonly known as the Servites, are a Catholic religious family whose roots reach back to thirteenth-century Florence, Italy.
The Order began with seven men who came together in prayer, friendship, penance, and devotion to Mary. Eventually known as the Seven Holy Founders, they chose to live the Gospel together in a spirit of fraternity and service.
From the beginning, Servite life has been centered on a simple but demanding calling:
to follow Jesus Christ, live the Gospel in communion with others, and serve God and all people while drawing continual inspiration from Mary, Mother and Servant of the Lord.
Servite Way of Life
For Servites, Mary is much more than the object of devotion. She is a model of Christian discipleship.
From her fiat, her willing “yes” to God, we learn to welcome God's Word and remain attentive to the Holy Spirit. From her participation in the life and saving mission of Jesus, we learn compassion and a willingness to recognize and respond to the suffering of others.
Servite spirituality therefore brings together:
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Love of Jesus Christ and fidelity to the Gospel
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Fraternal communion and community
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Prayer and attentiveness to God's Word
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Devotion to Mary, especially Our Lady of Sorrows
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Humility, simplicity, compassion, and service
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Care for those who suffer or are most in need
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A commitment to bring the love of Christ into everyday life
At the heart of the Servite vocation is Christ's commandment of love:
love of God expressed in love and service of our brothers and sisters.
Servite tradition understands service as one of the clearest expressions of this Gospel love.
Mary at the Foot of the Cross
One of the most distinctive images of Servite spirituality is Mary standing at the foot of the Cross.
Servites honor Mary especially as the Mother of Sorrows, but devotion to her Sorrows is not meant to end with remembering the suffering of Calvary. It calls us to recognize the suffering that continues around us today.
The Rule of Life teaches that the Servant of Mary should have a particular concern for those who are sick, vulnerable, suffering, or in need physically, spiritually, or morally.
Mary at the foot of the Cross becomes our guiding image as we seek to stand compassionately beside the many “crosses” carried by people in our own time.
