St. Luigi Guanella
Italian priest from the alpine valleys of Lombardy, founder of the Servants of Charity (Guanellians) and the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence. A friend of St. John Bosco, he devoted his life to the most marginalized — orphans, the developmentally disabled, the dying, and the elderly poor — building a network of homes that came to be called 'cottages of providence.' His simple Lombard motto was 'In all things, charity.'
Life & Times
Also known as: Don Guanella; Aloysius Guanella · Born: December 19, 1842 · Died: October 24, 1915 · From: Fraciscio di Campodolcino, Sondrio; Como, Lombardy.
Patronage
St. Luigi Guanella is invoked as the patron of the servants of charity (guanellians), daughters of st. mary of providence, the developmentally disabled, abandoned children. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
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Devotional items honoring St. Luigi Guanella, from our Sancta Lumina collection and beyond.
About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Luigi Guanella, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.