ANNUZIATINE DI LOMBARDIA

ANNUZIATINE OF LOMBARDY. - A religious congregation, also known as the Sisters of St. Ambrose or St. Marcellina, which arose in Pavia in 1408 at the initiative of some pious ladies from Pavia and Venice, under the direction of the Benedictine GIOVANNI BECCARIA. The Rule of St. Augustine was adopted. In 1431 the foundations in Pavia were approved by the Holy See. Under the leadership of Mother Giovanna of Parma, the congregation experienced considerable growth that lasted until the end of the 16th century. The mother general resided in Pavia, and three visitatrixes were required to travel each year to all the houses. To avoid this constant movement, which caused much harm to the spirit of the institution, St. Pius V replaced the visitatrixes with secular clergy. They were suppressed under Napoleon, and today only a few houses remain in northern Italy.