Our Community is descended from the monastery of San Lorenzo – Saint Lawrence – in Rome. Our American foundress, Mother Mary Maddalena Bentivoglio, came from that monastery. Her Eucharistic devotion was begun in San Lorenzo: Often she would be in ecstasy before the Blessed Sacrament. Coming back from the altar after receiving Holy Communion, she looked as though she were in heaven. During thanksgiving she was so enrapt in devotion and so immovable that some [of] the Sisters would have to touch her on the arm several times in order to arouse her from her deep recollection to recite community prayers. In this ecstatic posture her eyes were partially closed and she was kneeling erect in prayer.