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Our institution, today known as «Congregation of the nuns ‘collegine’ of the Sacred Family” was founded at the beginning of the 18 th century, when Europe was afflicted by continuous wars, and, at the same time, “illuminated” by the ideas of renewal aimed at solving the problems of mankind by the only means of reason.During this period the Church had fallen victim of the interferences in its religious affairs by the ruling kings, and people lived in deep poverty, having to cope with every kind of injustice. they are right the poorest (and ignorant) girls, who very often got pregnant too early in their lives, to suffer most from this unfair situation, left alone to their own devices. |
Cardinal Pier Marcellino Corradini founded the Institute of the “‘Boarder’ of the Sacred Family” to educate the poorest and ignorant girls of his native town of Sezze (Latium).
On July 26, 1717, S. Ann's Day, with the help of father Valle, the first young nuns took the veil.
Pier Marcellino Corradini was born at Sezze on June 2, 1656, from a noble family. After his father died, he inherited titles, which he soon (aged 32) gave up in favor of his younger brother Ottaviano to answer God's call.
His activity in favor of the very poor was not based on simple charity, but on “helping the poors on helping themselves”. To this purpose he set up a bank at Frascati, near Rome. |
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 The revolutionary idea of Cardinal Corradini for that time was that the nuns should not remain secluded in their convent, go and search in the streets for the most miserable girls.
In Sicily, where the material and moral poverty was more than anywhere else in Italy, the work of Corradini was much needed. Even today, it is in Sicily that the greatest number of “College of Mary” are concentrated. The first of the “Colleges of Mary” in Sicily was founded at Olivella (Palermo) on September 16, 1721, by Don Carlo Vanni.
During the 280 years from its foundation, the Institution has undergone difficult moments, marked by struggles and successes.
 Today the congregation is formed by 59 communities, 57 in Italy (almost all of them in Sicily, except the two Roman institutions), and two abroad. Since 1980, in fact, our institution is present outside Italy. We are in Africa, at Iringa, Zaire, and in England at Enfield, North of London. But we hope to expand our presence in other parts of the world.
 Many people wonder how we spend our days, but even more are the cliches. They do not know that our every day is made of hard work, full of sacrifice and love. This labourmakes us feel closer to our Lord, knowing that by doing so we have spent the day serving Him, and praying, in the greatest love of all, the love of the one who can give and serve.
 The congregation has never lived in the security of the walls of its convent, but it has always been present in society, coordinating the work of the different colleges, and educating the young girls, contributing to the growth of the consciences of women, making of it the foundation for ethic and cultural development in Sicily.
 It is in the acknowledgment of the mystery of our Lord and the Church, by living in Holiness, serving with a greater care who is in need, offering them the bread of love, that our congregation look into the third millennium.
We do not have any other certainty, except that of our faith. (Giuseppa Taormina - General Mother Superior of the congregation - General House of Palermo).
Special occasions for the congregation :
- “The Sacred Family” liturgic feast (last Sunday of December or first one of January, if coinciding with the Holy Christmas);
- June 17 (1717): foundation of the congregation;
- February 17 (1729): approval of the constitutions of the founder.
Specail occasions for the founder :
- June 2 (1658): Cardinal Corradini is born at Sezze (Latium);
- February 8 (1743): Cardinal Corradini dies in Rome
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