🚪 THE GATEWAY

Welcome to Casa Madre of the Comboni Missionary Sisters. You are standing before this imposing gateway built in the 19th century, when Verona was divided between French and Austrian rule. The gateway is of Austro-Hungarian craftsmanship and bears the coat of arms of the Olivetan Benedictines on its front: three hills with a cross and palm trees.

What you might not imagine is that this gateway stands exactly on the route of the ancient Roman road Postumia, which crossed through the garden of this property and led all the way to Aquileia. By crossing this threshold, you are retracing the steps of Roman travelers, medieval pilgrims, Benedictine monks, and finally, missionaries bound for distant lands.

The name "in Organo" does not derive, as one might think, from the musical instrument. It probably refers to a hydraulic machine for lifting irrigation water, placed on a branch of the Adige River that once flowed right here in front. The Adige once flowed divided into two branches in this area, which rejoined at Ponte Navi.

In 1807, a drastic change interrupted monastic life in this place: Napoleon Bonaparte issued a decree suppressing the monasteries. The Olivetans were forced to leave Santa Maria in Organo, and the monastery was transformed into a military garrison.

After the Napoleonic period, the building passed through various owners, until it became the property of Maria Maddalena Laura Astori, superior of the Institute of Benedictine Sisters. It was from her that Daniel Comboni purchased the building.

On August 23, 1872, a notarial deed signed by notary Teodoro Ravignani sanctioned the transfer of ownership. It was a strategic purchase: Comboni made it in his personal name to prevent the building from being affected by the laws suppressing religious orders.

On September 14, 1872, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the first three postulants of the Institute of the Pious Mothers of Nigritia—Marietta Caspi, Virginia Scandola, and Teresa Caviola—entered this house, accompanied by the founder himself.

From that day, these walls that for centuries had preserved the contemplative prayer of monks became the starting point of a worldwide missionary work.

Now let us begin our journey through these spaces filled with history and spirituality.

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