These Sisters belong to the religious congregation called the Canossian Daughters of Charity, which originated in Verona, Italy and whose members are spread all over the world.

On May 8, 1808, she left definitively the palace of Canossa family and started her work with a few companions, gathering together and educating young girls from St. Zeno district.

Later, the Institute of the Daughters of Charity extended to other Italian cities: Venice, Milan, Bergamo, and Trento, while Magdalene widened her contacts with religious and civil authorities so as to obtain support for her own and other charitable initiatives.

Born in Olgossa in the Darfur region of southern Sudan, Josephine was kidnapped at the age of seven, sold into slavery and given the name Bakhita, which means fortunate.

Bakhita became babysitter to Mimmina Michieli, whom she accompanied to Venice's Institute of the Catechumens, run by the Canossian Sisters.

When the Michielis returned from Africa and wanted to take Mimmina and Josephine back with them, the future saint refused to go.

In 1902, she was transferred to the city of Schio (northeast of Verona), where she assisted her religious community through cooking, sewing, embroidery and welcoming visitors at the door.