Our Center is called Don Guanella Center in honor of Blessed Aloysius (Louis) Guanella.

Who was Don Guanella?

Don ("Father" in Italian) Louis Guanella was a very simple and holy, yet also very complex and dynamic Italian priest who was born in 1842 in the mountains of northern Italy. His desire from his youth was to serve the poor and most needy. After being ordained a priest in May of 1866, he spent many years serving the people of God as ordered by his bishop in many different places. Since his social awareness and desire to help the least fortunate was far advanced for the society in which he lived, his initiatives were often mocked even by the Church authorities.

His thoughts and desires were greatly influenced by the work being done by two other Italian priests of that time: Saint John Bosco who worked among the poor youth and Saint Joseph Cottolengo who cared for the handicapped. Don Guanella actually spent 3 years of his life working and living with Don Bosco. He was then called by his bishop to return to his diocese and assume the duties of a pastor who had recently died. It was then, in 1881, he was able to begin the work most dear to his heart with the foundation of the religious community which today is the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence. Later, in 1908, he also founded a community of priests and brothers, the Servants of Charity. His sisters and priests were among the first to not only care for, but also educate, and rehabilitate the disabled. He also started works to care for the elderly whose needs were often ignored.

Father Guanella died on October 24, 1915. His holiness and good works were common knowledge. On October 25, 1964, Pope Paul VI officially declared him “Blessed” in the church. Today his priests and sisters carry on the work of his dream throughout the world.

"Seize every opportunity to help one another."
— Father Guanella