 After extensive correspondence between the parties, on April 15, 1499 Lucy escaped secretly from Viterbo and was officially received in Ferrara on May 7, 1499.Thirteen young girls immediately applied for admission to her new community; the construction of the monastery began in June and was completed two years later, in August 1501.It contained 140 cells for religious sisters and the novices, but to fill it with suitable vocations proved to be very difficult.