In 1452 Caterina Ruffini from Pallanza came to Santa Maria del Monte, followed two years later by Giuliana Puricelli from the Cascina dei Poveri in Busto Arsizio. They were the founders of the monastery of the Hermites of the order of sant'Ambrogio in Nemus, recognised by papal bull in 1476. They refounded the hermitage of 'wild' women who had come to Santa Maria del Monte out of vow and devotion and who had been wiped out by the plague in the mid-15th century.
It is said that Caterina, born in Pallanza at the beginning of the 15th century and educated in Milan, spent her life in penance, contemplating the crucifixion of Christ. She passed away on 6th April 1478. Giuliana, who joined her at Santa Maria del Monte, died twenty years later, in 1501, on 15 August, the day Catholics celebrate the Assumption of Mary. On 16 September 1769, both were recognised by the Catholic Church as blessed and the Ambrosian liturgy celebrates their memory every year on 27 April.