FIGLIE DI SAN FRANCESCO DI SALES (Imola). - The Institute was founded in 1869 at Lugo, in the diocese of Imola, by the provost of the Collegiate Church, Canon Cavina, and by Sister Ippolita Fantini, who, together with a companion, had left the Institute of the Sisters of Charity of S. Vincent de Paul for this purpose.
In 1872 the bishop approved the Institute, which, as early as 1892, despite various oppositions and financial limitations, crossed the boundaries of the diocese and expanded considerably. On 30 Jan. 1931 the decree of praise was granted, and at the same time the constitutions were approved on an experimental basis.
The Institute comprised two classes of sisters, choir sisters and lay sisters; but, toward the end of 1946, the superiors, in the name of all, requested that the two classes be unified. The sisters devote themselves to the Christian education of youth, the care of the sick, and the care of the disabled. In 1949 it had 37 houses, with 210 professed sisters.