History: The friary was built by want of the people, with the consent of the Campobasso Provincial Chapter presided by the Minister General, St. Lawrence of Brindisi and with the economical assistance of the Marquis Giovanni Bronci and Marcantonio De Palma. The Provincial Minister was Fr. Bernardino of Asti. The church was dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi. During the period of French suppression, it was shut down for a short time and used by the Justice of Peace.
. When it became known of its possible closure, there was an outcry from the people to protect what they could. In 1866, with the anti-religious policies of the Italian governement, the friary was shut down again. For a few years the Servant of God Fr. Raffaele of Sant’Elia a Pianisi ministered the church. In 1895, it was purchased by Pasquale Colavita of Sant’Elia a Pianisi, who donated it to the friars.
He also became a Capuchin friar taking the name of Brother Fedele. On 27 January 1907, St. Pio of Pietrelcina professed his solemn vows here. For many years, the friary was the Seraphic Seminary. It belongs to the diocese of Campobasso.
