the monte della redenzione degli schiavi was founded in 1607 by grand master alof de wignacourt, after a capuchin friar raffaele camilleri made a series of lenten sermons describing the situation of christian slaves in muslim hands. for the first few years, the institution did not manage to collect enough funds. this changed when the noble caterina vitale bequeathed most of her estate to the monte di redenzione upon her death in 1619. part of the property was sold, and with an additional 6000 scudi donated by gio. domenico felici, the institution was able to commence its operations.