The "Confraternita di Maria Santissima di Pietraquaria" ("Confraternity of Most Holy Mary of Pietraquaria") was founded in 1891. Since 1878 the sanctuary has been run by Capuchin Friars, and before them by lay hermits who settled in the monastery erected in 1840. The 1915 Marsica earthquake caused heavy damages to the sanctuary, while the monastery could host the religious people who had come to the aid of the survivors.