The Servites, or Servants of Mary, are a mendicant order founded by seven citizens of Florence: Buonagiunta, Buonfiglio, Amadio, Manetto, Uguccione, Sostegno, and Alessio Falconieri, joined later by Saint Philip Benizi. In 1233 they began to live their Christian faith more intensely, with a special devotion to Our Lady, the Mother of Jesus. According to legend, Our Lady herself appeared to these . . .