St.Luigi Guanella

Posted on October 25, 2018 by admin No comments

Born: 19 December 1842 Fraciscio, Campodolcino, Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia

Died: 24 October 1915 (aged 72) Como, Kingdom of Italy

Venerated: in Roman Catholic Church

Beatified: 25 October 1964, Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City by Pope Paul VI

Canonized: 23 October 2011, Saint Peter’s Square, Vatican City by Pope Benedict XVI

Major shrine: Shrine of the Sacred Heart, Como

Feast: 24 October

Attributes: Cassock Patronage, Daughters of Saint Mary of Providence, Servants of Charity, Pious Union of Saint Joseph

Saint Luigi Guanella (19 December 1842 – 24 October 1915) was an Italian Roman Catholic priest Fr. Guanella was ordained a priest on May 26, 1866 in Como, and was assigned to a small parish in Savogno. and is the founder of several religious institutes: the Daughters of Saint Mary of Providence (1890) and the Servants of Charity (24 March 1908) alongside his friends David Albertario and Giuseppe Toniolo. Guanella also founded the Pious Union of Saint Joseph (1914) with his supporter and first member Pope Pius X. These religious communities focused on the relief of the poor throughout the world. The Servants of Charity motto reads “In Omnibus Charitas” (“In all things Love”) which became the cornerstone for Guanella’s own life.

His older sister was the Servant of God Caterina Guanella (25 March 1841 – 13 June 1891).

Guanella received beatification on 25 October 1964 from Pope Paul VI and was canonized as saint of the Roman Catholic Church on 23 October 2011 in a celebration that Pope Benedict XVI celebrated in Saint Peter’s Square.

Sanctification

Process and Venerable

The informative process for the sanctification cause commenced in Como on 1 February 1923 and had been tasked in compiling available evidence and documentation that could establish both a biographical profile and reasons that would attest to the late priest’s saintliness; the process closed on 21 May 1929. Theologians compiled all of his writings and were assigned to ascertain whether or not his texts were in line with the magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church; the team approved them all in a decree of 12 July 1932.

The formal introduction of the cause came on 15 March 1939 – during the pontificate of Pope Pius XII – in which the honorific title of Servant of God was granted to Guanella as the first official stage in the process.

The apostolic process that opened after this formal introduction was held also in Como and spanned from 27 June 1940 and concluded its business on 10 October 1941. Both processes were taken to Rome to the Congregation of Rites for validation on 13 April 1945.

The late priest was proclaimed to be Venerable on 6 April 1962 after Pope John XXIII acknowledged the fact that Guanella had lived a model Christian life of exemplified heroic virtue.

Beatification

The informative diocesan process for the first miracle needed for beatification opened in the Diocese of Como on 20 November 1942 and closed on 28 November 1942. The informative process for the second miracle needed opened in Vittorio Veneto on 29 November 1942 and closed after less than a week on 2 December 1942. The two processes were validated on 27 July 1962 while both miracles received formal papal approval on 15 July 1964.

On 25 October 1964 – in Saint Peter’s Basilica – Pope Paul VI beatified Luigi Guanella.

Canonization

The third miracle that would result in eventual canonization was investigated in the diocese of its origin in the United States of America and the process concluded its assignment on 19 February 2007. It received validation on 20 April 2007 which enabled the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to commence their own investigation into the alleged miracle. The medical board approved it on 12 November 2009 while theologians followed suit on 30 January 2010. The C.C.S. also granted assent on 20 April 2010 while Pope Benedict XVI gave his final approval to the miracle on 1 July 2010.

Benedict XVI canonized Luigi Guanella as a saint of the Roman Catholic Church on 23 October 2011.

Second miracle

According to Catholic News Service (CNS) the miracle needed for his canonization was the healing of an adult male – William Glisson (who was 21 at the time of his accident and is now married) – from the United States of America who had fallen over a hole and hit his head while skating backward without a helmet rollerblading down the Baltimore Pike in Springfield. He needed two separate skull surgeries and was in a coma for a fortnight with a grave prognosis. A doctor – who was both a friend and worked at a rehabilitation center that the Opera Don Guanella ran – gave Glisson’s mother two relics of the late priest. The Opera’s website stated that Glisson was released from the hospital less than a month after the accident and returned to work just seven months later in what was seen as a rapid healing for someone in his condition.

Postulator

The assigned postulator at the time of the canonization was the Rev. Mario Carrera.

Prayer to St.Luigi Guanella

O Blessed Luigi Guanella, apostle of charity who spread the treasures of your heart to the poor and suffering, whom you dearly loved, in a world filled with hatred and selfishness, obtain for us from Divine Providence an ever increasing love of God and our neighbor. Obtain for us also the favor we are now asking for, and the grace of final perseverance. Amen.

Prayers to St.Luigi Guanella

O Blessed Luigi Guanella, apostle of charity, who spread the treasures of your heart to the poor and suffering, whom you dearly loved, in a world filled with hatred and selfishness, obtain for us from Divine Providence an ever increasing love of God and our neighbor. Obtain for us also the favor we are now asking for, and the grace of final perseverance. Amen.

O Blessed Louis Guanella, Apostle of charity, who in a world full of hate and egotism, has spread the treasures of your heart, helping the poor and suffering so dear to you, obtain for us from the goodness of Our Lord the grace to persevere and increase in love of God and our neighbor. Implore for us, in particular, the grace we now implore from you and final perseverance. Amen

O Blessed Luigi Guanella, you helped the earthquake victims while you were here on earth. With the confidence that you will help us when we ask, we pray for your intercession today. Please obtain for us from Divine Providence what we need and what we request. Help us to remember that we will one day be called home to God, and intercede for us that we may have a happy and peaceful death. Amen.

O Blessed Aloysius Guanella, Apostle of Charity, who in a world pervaded by hatred and selfishness, has diffused the treasures of your heart, helping the poor and suffering so dear to you, obtain for us from the bounty of the Lord an ever increasing love of God and neighbor. Implore for us also, the grace we desire and the gift of final perseverance. Amen.

O sweetest Heart of Jesus, ardent furnace of charity, for the glorification of Thy faithful servant, Father Aloysius Guanella, who lived here below praying and suffering for Thy Kingdom, for the welfare of souls and for the relief of the poor so dear to thee, grant us the grace we so ardently desire and final perseverance. Amen.

Lord Jesus, who came down to earth to bring us the love of the Father and to be the support and comfort of the lowly and the afflicted, we ask you to glorify on earth your faithful servant, Blessed Louis Guanella. May the example of his holiness shine forth throughout the world for the glory of God the Father and the salvation of Christians. Grant us to be able to imitate his virtues: his ardent devotion to the Eucharist, his serene trust in Divine Providence, his tender charity with the poorest, especially the most destitute, his passionate pastoral care for your people, so that we may receive along with him the Kingdom you have prepared for us in the house of the Father. Amen.

Novena to St.Luigi Guanella

[Say the following prayer on a daily basis for 7 consecutive days.]

In the name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Invocation

The Lord is just and loves justice. –The Saints will see his face.

Reading (Rom 8:28-30)

We know that God makes all things work together for the good of those that love him, who have been called according to his decree. Those whom he foreknew he predestined to share the image of his Son, that the Son might be the first-born of many brothers. Those he predestined he likewise called; those he called he also justified; and those he justified he in turn glorified.

The just will rejoice in the presence of the Lord. –They will exult and be glad.

Intercessions

Father, you made all things holy. While we meditate of the lives of your Saints and Blessed Souls we pray to grow close to you as we recall your words:
R/. Be holy for I am holy.

Holy Father, you called us to be your children and so we are; grant that your people throughout the world may proclaim you as their Father.
R/. Be holy for I am holy.

Holy Father, you willed that we should live to please you in all we do; grant us the strength to lead good lives.
R/. Be holy for I am holy.

Holy Father, you made us one with you through Christ; teach us to be your children so that we may be one with each other.
R/. Be holy for I am holy.

Holy Father, you invited us to the banquet of your kingdom; help us to grow in love as we receive the bread that comes from heaven.
R/. Be holy for I am holy.

Holy Father, forgive the sins of all your people; and bring those who have died into your presence.
R/. Be holy for I am holy.

Prayer to Saint Luigi Guanella

O Saint Luigi Guanella, apostle of charity, who spread the treasures of your heart to the poor and suffering, whom you dearly loved, in a world filled with hatred and selfishness, obtain for us from Divine Providence an ever increasing love of God and our neighbor. Obtain for us also the favor we are now asking for

[state your favor here….]

and the grace of final perseverance. Amen.

Concluding Prayer

Lord God, you alone are holy and no one is good without you. Through the intercession of Blessed Luigi Guanella help us to live in such a way that we not be deprived of a share in your glory. We ask this through Christ our Lord. In the name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.