Servites

Servites, members of the Order of Servants of Mary, established by the Seven Holy Founders of Florence in 1233. It was acknowledged as a mendicant order (Roman Catholic religious order whose members take a vow of poverty) in 1424. The Servites seek to sanctify themselves and others through their devotion to Mary, and in educational and pastoral work. Spreading to Spain, France, and Germany, the order embraced 10,000 members in the 14th century and included missions in Crete (Kríti) and India. In the 18th century their numbers decreased in Europe but new houses were established in England and the United States. In 1998 there were approximately 15,000 members of the Servite family worldwide, including 8,000 members of the Third Order, or Mantellates, who are secular or lay Servites. See also Mendicant Friars.