"The Lord disposes of nothing that is not for our greater good" (Ven. Fr. Gregory OFM)

At the end of the summer of 1859, in Venice, Father Gregorio was presented with a proposal, not at all predictable, through the encounter of a woman in search of God. This is a young French lady, Laura Leroux. Dressed as a religious, she asks him to listen first as a simple penitent, then as a soul eager for spiritual direction, finally asking his help to found a religious institute. Fr. Gregory, faced with this proposal, felt disconcerted. Mrs Laura Leroux is married to Duke Roger of Bauffremont, with whom she has a daughter, Elena Mary. Fr. Gregory learned that Mrs Leroux, separated from her husband and child, had left Paris and France and had gone down to Rome, still pursuing the dream of giving herself to God. With so much trust in God, Fr. Gregory understood that his journey of holiness is carried out right next to and through that person. In the elusive personality of the woman, he reads the new code with which God challenges him and the imperative to let himself be guided by him in absolute obedience and trust towards those who represent him. Along with the Duchess - from 27 May 1860, who became a professed member of the Third Franciscan Order under the name of Sister M. Josepha of Jesus - she is totally committed himself, as a direct co-responsible, to the implementation of the shared programme, for the only glory of God... (Cfr. M. Antonietta Pozzebon - " Il Servo di Dio Padre Gregorio Fioravanti, ofm ", Editrice VELAR, 2012).