The following comes from the Salesian News Agency:On Monday 21 February at 12.00, in the Consistorial Hall of the Apostolic Vatican Palace, the Holy Father Benedict XVI held an Ordinary Public Consistory for the approval of the Canonisation of three Blesseds including Fr Luigi Guanella (1842-1915), apostle of charity, a close friend of Don Bosco, and for three years a member of the Salesian Congregation. The ceremony of canonisation will take place on Sunday 23 October 2011 in Saint Peter’s Square.
Luigi Guanella was born at Fraciscio di Campodolcino (Sondrio) in 1842. In 1866 he became a priest and said: “I want to become a flaming sword in the holy ministry.” His pastoral work was similar to that of Cottolengo and Don Bosco, who he met in Turin.
He made his Salesian temporary profession for three years in 1874, at the Salesian house in Lanzo Torinese. In his first two years as a Salesian he was the director of the oratory of San Luigi Gonzaga in the Borgo san Salvario, Turin, and then in November 1876 he was given the task of opening a new oratory at Trinità di Mondovì. In 1877 he was entrusted with the care of the adult vocations which Don Bosco called “the work of the Sons of Mary.”
Recalled to the diocese by his Bishop, in 1881 he founded the Servants of Charity and the Daughters of Saint Mary of Providence, which from the diocese of Como quickly spread throughout Italy and then in America, Asia and Africa. In Rome, with the help of Pope Pius X, he built the Basilica of Saint Joseph. Following the Marsica earthquake in January 1915, Fr Guanella was among the first, together with Fr Orione, to come to the aid of the people. He died a few months later and was beatified in 1964.
Fr Guanella and Don Bosco, both friends and priests living at a time of great social change but also inequalities, responded as apostles of charity and spent their whole lives involved in the work of the salvation of each and every person and in the building of a better society.
The close link between the two, and the devotion of Fr Guanella for Don Bosco is reflected in a prayer which Fr Guanella wrote in the monthly magazine of his foundation, “Divine Providence” in August 1908: “May the great soul of John Bosco who from on high protects the Congregation of his Sons the Salesians, now too numerous to count, be pleased to turn his gaze on the Institutes of Divine Providence and extend the kindness of his protection on all those who beloing to these works and especially on his devoted admirer and student. Fr Luigi Guanella”.
Luigi Guanella was born at Fraciscio di Campodolcino (Sondrio) in 1842. In 1866 he became a priest and said: “I want to become a flaming sword in the holy ministry.” His pastoral work was similar to that of Cottolengo and Don Bosco, who he met in Turin.
He made his Salesian temporary profession for three years in 1874, at the Salesian house in Lanzo Torinese. In his first two years as a Salesian he was the director of the oratory of San Luigi Gonzaga in the Borgo san Salvario, Turin, and then in November 1876 he was given the task of opening a new oratory at Trinità di Mondovì. In 1877 he was entrusted with the care of the adult vocations which Don Bosco called “the work of the Sons of Mary.”
Recalled to the diocese by his Bishop, in 1881 he founded the Servants of Charity and the Daughters of Saint Mary of Providence, which from the diocese of Como quickly spread throughout Italy and then in America, Asia and Africa. In Rome, with the help of Pope Pius X, he built the Basilica of Saint Joseph. Following the Marsica earthquake in January 1915, Fr Guanella was among the first, together with Fr Orione, to come to the aid of the people. He died a few months later and was beatified in 1964.
Fr Guanella and Don Bosco, both friends and priests living at a time of great social change but also inequalities, responded as apostles of charity and spent their whole lives involved in the work of the salvation of each and every person and in the building of a better society.
The close link between the two, and the devotion of Fr Guanella for Don Bosco is reflected in a prayer which Fr Guanella wrote in the monthly magazine of his foundation, “Divine Providence” in August 1908: “May the great soul of John Bosco who from on high protects the Congregation of his Sons the Salesians, now too numerous to count, be pleased to turn his gaze on the Institutes of Divine Providence and extend the kindness of his protection on all those who beloing to these works and especially on his devoted admirer and student. Fr Luigi Guanella”.
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