Cerioli decided to devote the remainder of her life to charity and contemplative prayer. She took a vow of chastity on 25 December 1856 which was soon followed by her vows of poverty and obedience on 8 February 1857. In December 1867 she founded the Institute of the Sisters of the Holy Family in Comonte to care for abandoned children and to assist new parents. It was during this time that Cerioli took the name of Paola Elisabetta. The men's Congregation of the Holy Family was founded on 4 November 1863.