To-day the liturgy honours seven noble Florentines who “in 1223 enriched the Church with a new religious family” (Collect). They received by a providential circumstance, from the mouth of little children (Introit) the name of “Servants of Mary”. Illustrious by their birth, these founders became still more so by the salutary influence of their Order (Communion) in France, Germany and Poland. “Their race endures for ever and their glory shall never be dimmed” (Epistle), for they survive in their disciples. Leaving everything, they retire to Monte Scenario, near Florance, atone by their austerities for the sins of guilty men and, clothed in a mourning habit shown to them by the Virgin, they constantly meditate on the Passion of Jesus and the dolours of Mary at the foot of the Cross (Collect, Post-Communion).

“Burning with love for the sorrowful Mother of Jesus” (Secret) “let us join in the tears (Collect) of the Saints whom we honour to-day, in order that “deserving to enjoy the fruits of Christ’s Redemption” (Post-Communion) “we may also have a share in their joys” (Collect).

Taken from the Saint Andrew Daily Missal