February 17 — Alexis is not the only one to be celebrated today, there are also his six companions, co-founders of the Order of the Servants of Mary.

They are seven who have founded the Order :

• Bonfils Monaldo;
• Jean Manetti;
• Benoît del Antella;
• Barthélemy Amidei;
• Gérardin Sostegni;
• Ricover Uguccioni
• Alexis Falconieri.

They all came from wealthy families in Florence and lived in the 13th century. At that time, in the year 1215, real social instability reigned in Florence. The inhabitants lived in an atmosphere of hatred, murder and resentment, and all seven of them lived in this situation as well. On August 10, 1233, the Blessed Virgin appeared to them, her face saddened and clothed in mourning. In 1234, the seven friends decided to leave wealth, arms and glory and communicated their desire to devote themselves totally to prayer to the ordinary bishop of the place. The bishop granted them a piece of land on Mount Senario, 15 km from the city. There they lived as monks, dressed in mourning robes similar to those of the Virgin at the time of her apparition, praying, depriving themselves and being totally devoted to Mary.

Order of the Servants of Mary was the name given to their Fraternity ad they follow the rule of saint Augustin. they become totally dedicated to the sanctification of their life and became priest later except Alexis who stay a lay-brother, by humility.

Of the seven founders, it was Alexis who died last at the age of 110 on February 17, 1310. At his death, the order was recognized only six years ago by Pope Benedict XI. It is probably because Alexis was considered the superior of the order that the Church fixed the feast of the seven founders on the date of his death.