What’s the best team you’ve ever been on?

There’s something magical about being on a team that’s working together to create something amazing. When you go to a concert and hear a band play, you can tell pretty quickly whether they’re all on the same page or if each musician is narrowly focused on his or her own sound. When they’re playing together in harmony, it's a powerful experience, both for them and for us. 

The ultimate teamwork occurs when a group of individuals comes together to collaborate with God. God loves collaboration. When you open yourselves to this possibility, God makes amazing things happen in, through, and with your team. 

In 1233, seven laymen in a church collectively received a vision of Mary on the Feast of the Assumption, telling them to live for God alone. Whatever they were to do, they knew God wanted them to do it together, because they had all experienced the same profound call to devote their lives to God through the Blessed Virgin Mary.

They retreated to the outskirts of Florence and lived together in a small house known as La Camarzia, dedicated to a communal life of prayer and service. Their common, unchanging purpose was to grow closer to God by following Mary’s example: to act in accord with God’s will in all things. Each member of the team dedicated themselves to collaborating with God to create Holy Moments every day.

Together, they founded the Order of the Servants of Mary, also known as the Servites, in 1240.

God loves collaborating with humanity. He loves collaborating with you and everyone around you. When each member of a team is actively collaborating with God, that is truly the Church—the Body of Christ—in action.

When you feel a call from God, get your friends involved. Together, you can accomplish amazing things.

Symbols: The Black Scapular

Also Known as: Bonfilius, Alexis, Manettus, Amideus, Hugh, Sostene and Buonagiunta of Florence

Feast Day: February 17

Feast Day Shared By: Saint Evermode of Ratzeburg

Canonized: January 15, 1888

Canonized By: Pope Leo XIII