On September 24, 1979, "Casa Chiara" was purchased in Assisi and on August 24th of the following year, after renovations, it was opened and immediately the Italian- speaking sisters stayed for their annual spiritual retreat. Work began with the young people visiting Assisi who were offered hospitality and tours to the various sanctuaries. In the meantime, a collaboration began with the Franciscan Fathers of Santa Maria degli Angeli with inter-congregational meetings, marches, missions to the people in the Franciscan style and other activities were organized. As soon as the first new vocations arrived, the house became the Novitiate for the Region of Italy and other novices of the Congregation. The house was renovated several times because of earthquakes, one on October 17, 1982, and the other on September 26, 1997. The latter caused so much damage that the novitiate had to be moved to Santa Maria degli Angeli until 2002.