<p>Between 1225 and 1227, seven young men from the city of Florence joined the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin whose members were popularly known as the Praisers. Inspired by visions of Our Lady, they decided to dedicate themselves to lives of prayer and service.</p>
<p>In time, they attracted so many visitors that they decided to withdraw to a deserted mountain where they built a church and hermitage, living a life of extreme austerity. Their bishop prevailed upon them to adopt a rule and to accept recruits. This was followed by another vision of Our Lady on April 13, 1240, and a change of name to Servants of Mary, or Servites. The new order grew quickly; one of the early recruits was Peregrine Laziosi, now patron saint of persons with serious illnesses. Of the original seven, all but one became priests. Only the lay-brother, who lived to be 110, saw the order fully recognized in 1304.©2011 <em>Living with Christ, </em>Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., <strong>http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/</strong>. Reprinted with permission.</p>
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