The congregation was founded in Rome by Trinitarian tertiaries Maria Teresa Cucchiari, Mariana Rizzoti and Anna Reina.

Félix of Jesus and Mary, a Spanish Trinitarian living at San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane, they accepted the invitation from Cardinal Marcantonio Colonna to establish a school in Avezzano (Aquila) for catechizing and imparting some basic education to poor girls of the region.

Initially, they were tertiaries who went by the name of Maestre Pie dell'Ordine dei Trinitari Scalzi del Riscatto (Pious Teachers the Order of the Discalced Trinitarians of the Ransom).

Their rule and Constitutions were broadly based on those of the Discalced Trinitarian nuns and were occasionally modified by the Congregation's directors or local bishops.

Nicolás of the Virgin, a Spanish Trinitarian residing at St. Carlino, drafted their first Constitutions, which introduced the optional profession of religious vows and gave the Maestre Pie a superior general.