Istituto "S. Margherita"

The Congregation was founded in this place on 21 February 1886 on the initiative of Fr. Simpliciano of the Nativity, an Alcantarin Friar Minor, born in Piano di Sorrento, province of Naples on 11 May 1827. At the Marmorata, where the first Institute was opened on December 14, 1879, for the rehabilitration of young women and for the education and preservation of children, out of whom 15 women were formed as a group for their journey to conversion, under the loving and merciful guide of Fr. Simpliciano. At the beginning, they were called "Margheritines" because the Founder had placed them under the protection of St. Margaret of Cortona. When the house at Marmorata became unsuitable for the apostolate, Fr. Simpliciano set out to find another place. After many and laborious search, the convent annexed to the vineyard to S. Balbina was proposed. This Church is one of the oldest in Rome, full of interesting historical and religious memories. And it was here, at St. Balbina, that the sublime ministry of Fr. Simpliciano who, due to the continuous and hectic activities, he little by little weakened physically, nevertheless, he never ceased working until the last months of his industrious life, dedicating his most loving and assiduous care to the moral and economic growth of his Institute. On May 25, the Venerable Servant of God ended his holy life at the Hospice of St. Margaret, and on May 27, 1898, in the Basilica of St. Balbina, the funeral took place.
In 1902, with the approval of the new Constitutions, the Franciscan Tertiary Sisters of St. Margaret took the name, Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Hearts.