History: The Serracapriola friary was founded in 1536 by Fr. Paolo of Sestino following the designs of the friars themselves and with the financial assistance of Andronica Del Balzo, princess of Molfetta and governor of Serracapriola. The friary was built according to the norms of the Rule of poverty, but later enlarged because of new requirements. It was for many years the novitiate of the province. Its position between the hills and sea, surrounded by silence far from any habitation, made it always dear to the religious.
It was several times the Seraphic seminary and the student house. Among the Capuchin students who studied theology here was Padre Pio of Pietrelcina (1907-1908). The church dedicated to Our Lady of Grace was consecrated by the Bishop Mgr. Michele Pitirro on 13 June 1703. More than ten provincial chapters were held here. On 11 August 1808, in view of the probable suppression of the friary, a complete inventory was made by the governor Michele Cinquepalmi, and consigned to the Superior Fr. Michelantonio of San Giovanni Rotondo. The feared suppression that should have taken place in 1811, did not happen thanks to the intervention of the mayors of Serracapriola and Chieti who defended the friars saying that they were committed in their work “for the good of the young.” However, what the French did not do, was carried out by the Italian government and in 1866, the friary was shut down.
The friary and its grounds were put up for auction and sold to Fuiano Giuseppe of Foggia. Later it was rented to Galasso Michele, a jeweller of Serracapriola for three years “21 December 1884 – 22 December 1887” and sub-rented to Donato Pontonio (Father Donato of San Marco in Lamis) for two years (28.3.1885 – 25.12.1887). On 1 October 1886, a contract was drawn up for the sale between Fuiano and the Capuchin Friars: Luigi Vocale (Fr. Mariano of S. Nicandro G.), Michelangelo Monforte (Fr. Francesco Maria of Gambatesa), Antonio Frascone (Fr. Giangiuseppe of Fragneto L’Abate), Giovanni Solimena (Fr. Geremia of Anzano di Puglia) and Giuseppe Marino (Fr. Francesco Maria of Savignano). The church was handed over by the government temporarily to the bishop of Larino (then Mgr. Bernardino of Milia, Capuchin) who handed over the church with a regular contract of concession to the Capuchin Friars to Fr. Pio of Fragneto L’Abate in person who was the General Commissioner of the Capuchins of the Sant’ Angelo province on the date of 30 September 1901. Since 6 December 2015, the friary has been entrusted to the Sisters of the Holy Family Congregation.