[2] The church where the Stigmatines were founded in Verona, Italy, was dedicated to the Stigmata of St. Francis of Assisi, from which the original title of the Community came.

For nearly two centuries, the Stigmatines worked in China, Thailand, the Philippines and various countries in Africa and Latin America.

In June 2018, the city council of Waltham, Massachusetts, voted to take the 46 acres owned by the Stigmatines by eminent domain, for the purpose of building a new high school.

[5] A statement on the Stigmatines' website states, "No one is doubting or discounting the need for a new high school in Waltham.

"[6] In December 2019, the parties resolved their dispute by the city council agreeing to pay a total of $29 million for the site.