by William Ford (Author)
In the bustling streets of 13th-century Florence, seven prosperous merchants made an extraordinary decision that would echo through centuries. Abandoning their wealth and status, these men withdrew to a life of prayer on a lonely mountain, founding what would become the Order of Servants of Mary. Their remarkable journey-from commercial success to spiritual renewal, from obscurity to sainthood-unfolds as a compelling saga of faith, perseverance, and adaptation across eight turbulent centuries.
This definitive history traces the Servite Order from its humble beginnings through Renaissance splendor, revolutionary suppressions, global conflicts, and into our contemporary world. With unprecedented access to previously untranslated archives, the narrative reveals how these seven equals created a spiritual tradition that would spread to six continents while maintaining its distinctive focus on Mary's compassionate presence at the foot of the Cross.
Discover how Servite friars commissioned masterpieces from Renaissance giants like Andrea del Sarto and Pontormo, survived near extinction during Napoleonic suppressions, navigated two World Wars, embraced Vatican II renewal, and continue to offer their unique spiritual perspective in today's rapidly changing world. Through plagues, wars, cultural revolutions, and ecclesiastical reforms, the Servite story demonstrates the remarkable resilience of a spiritual vision that remains vibrantly relevant in our fragmented age.
Rich with vivid characters, architectural wonders, artistic treasures, and spiritual insights, this meticulously researched work illuminates not just the history of one religious order but a living tradition of compassionate presence amid suffering-a message as urgently needed today as when seven merchants first climbed Monte Senario nearly eight centuries ago.