History
Fraciscio di Campodolcino, Italy: birthplace of our Founder: St. Louis Guanella
Birth:
Born in Fraciscio, a small mountainous town on the border of Switzerland, on December 19, 1842, Louis Guanella was the ninth of thirteen children. Nurtured in a hard-working and deeply religious family, his childhood formation led him to the seminary, with a desire to serve those most in need and share with them the love of the provident love of God our heavenly Father.
Growth:
On being ordained, Fr. Louis (Luigi in Italian) Guanella exclaimed: I wish to be a sword of fire in the holy ministry!" With deep trust in God and a desire to serve those in most need, this flame of charity was enkindled. Fr. Guanella ministered to make Christ known and loved as he ministered to those in need of educational and vocational assistance and provided homes for orphans, handicapped and the elderly
Louis Guanella founded two religious congregations, the Servants of Charity for men and the Daughters of Saint Mary of Providences for women to carry on his mission. He died on October 24, 1915, was beatified on October 24, 1964 and canonized on October 23, 2011.
In the United States:
The Daughters of St. Mary of Providence came to the United States in 1913 at the request of Pope Pius X, a long time friend and confidant of Saint Louis Guanella. He had chosen to begin the work of the Congregation in Chicago where the first Sisters ministered to the Italian immigrants and their families. They taught school and later started to build a residential home and school with the focus of caring for the mentally and physically challenged.
Since that time, the works of Providence have grown in the United States and the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence continue to extend the provident love of God in various ministries. The mother house is located in Chicago, IL and the Sisters are also ministering in Lake Zurich, IL; Milbank, SD; Sleepy Eye, MN; Elverson, PA; Syracuse, NY and Providence, RI.
Our Congregation is world-wide. It is divided into several Provinces.
The Immaculate Conception Province includes the United States, Mexico and the Phillippines. Below you can see the locations where the DSMP's Province minister:
Ministry in the United States
In 1985, we began our first mission in Mexico, working with children of single working mothers who had no one to care for their children during the day.
We have expanded our ministry to include a school for the disabled and pastoral work.
Missions in Mexico
In 1993, the Philippines, became part of the Immaculate Conception Province
Sacred Heart Center - Fairview, Quezon City
Day Center for the Disabled
After School Care for children
Holy Family Center - Quezon City
Day Center for the Elderly
Pre-school
Meals for the Street Children
Novitiate - Quezon City
