The great political – social upheavals that characterized the nineteenth century inevitably involved “Our” monastery; however, unlike the other city monastic orders, the cappuccini of Avellino managed to overcome the crisis. Probably the lack of land and real estate and the well-known philanthropy of the friars meant that they emerged unscathed from the subversive laws issued during the French occupation. Laws that led to the expulsion of the Franciscans, Dominicans, Augustinians and Benedictines from the monastery of S. Giovanni Battista in Porta Puglia.The monastery of cappuccini, now unique in the city, became an important reference point for the community which, in this period, rewarded the friars with a large number of donations. Even the only student residence had a new impetus: in 1840 the works for the elevation of a floor of the convent began, so as to host the students with dignity. The works were completed in 1841.Perimeters of the monastery were placed, in 1830 two votive shrines in polychrome ceramic, depicting the Virgin: in 1857 the wooden choir was rebuilt and in 1887 the old organ was replaced. If we exclude the “Apparition of the Madonna to S. Felice da Cantalice”, attributed to Guarini and therefore a work of the ‘600, the other paintings on the ceiling: “Embrace of S. Felice with Filippo Neri” – “Embrace of S. Francesco with S. Domenico ”, are the work of 19th century painters. In post-unification Italy, with the suppression of monastic orders, the convent was confiscated as assets of the Municipality. The latter, however, knowing well the spirit of charity of the friars, having in plan the establishment of a begging asylum, thought of entrusting it to the Capuchins. In 1867, came stipulated an agreement with the guardian father, Gaudiosa from Naples, and this worthy institution began, which remained in business for about 70 years, until, in 1939, the “new” Ricovero Rubilli was built. Among the most recent works we point out the terracotta that adorn the cloister of the monastery, made in the sixties by the Neapolitan master Giulio Catelli and inspired by the life of St. Francis. In its long history, this convent has always represented a “safe haven” for every eventuality and calamity, During the cholera epidemic in 1883, the Provincial Administration, in the face of the emergency, having to identify a decent place for the hospitalization of cholera, thought of garden of the convent and precisely the part behind the church. Of course, the not easy management of that emergency was entrusted to the Capuchin friars. Then in 1943, when the “bomb friends “made a massacre of our fellow citizens, on the door of the convent was posted the” Red Cross ”and our friars became, once again, diligent and loving nurses.
