MISSIONARY ZEALOTS OF THE SACRED HEART. - The Institute was founded in 1894 by Sister Clelia Merloni, for the purpose of spreading devotion to the Sacred Heart and devoting itself to various works of charity. The first house was opened at Viareggio; it developed, but had to close because of financial difficulties.
The foundress, with some sisters, withdrew to Alessandria and sent others to Piacenza, at the invitation of that Ordinary, while she attended to paying the debts of Viareggio. The general house was subsequently established at Piacenza, and the Constitutions were approved by episcopal decree of 10 June 1900. Thus the Institute was reborn, and Mons. Scalabrini thought of employing it in his work for emigrants.
At the death of Mons. Scalabrini (1 June 1905), the work underwent a new crisis. A lengthy apostolic visitation, concluded in 1918, once again put the Institute in order; its general house was transferred to Rome. On 16 July 1921 the Sacred Congregation of Religious decided to grant the decree of praise and established the Institute’s present title
MISSIONARIE ZELATRICI DEL SACRO CUORE - MISSIONARIO
