Filippini Sisters

[1] Barbarigo came to hear of the success of a free school opened by Rose Venerini in the nearby city of Viterbo, the first in Italy.

The young ladies of Montefiascone were taught domestic arts, weaving, embroidering, reading, and Christian doctrine.

Twelve years later the Cardinal devised a set of rules to guide Lucy and her followers in the religious life.

As the Community grew, it attracted the attention of Pope Clement XI who, in 1707, called Lucy to Rome to start schools.

According to Sr. Domenica Mitaritonna, "The Religious Teachers Filippini taught during the day and at night they would take turns to be on guard to protect their guests.

In 1918, with a donation from James Cox Brady, Bishop Thomas J. Walsh of Trenton arranged the purchase of the Harvey Fisk estate, called "Riverside," for a motherhouse and novitiate for the sisters.