The Daughters of St. Mary of Providence

The Religious Congregation of the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence, sometimes referred to as Guanellians, was founded in 1881 by Blessed Aloysius Guanella. Impelled by the love of Christ he spent his entire life and energies for the needy, the physically and mentally handicapped, orphans, the aged, and founded two religious congregations to carry on his work - the Servants of Charity for priests and brothers and the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence.

The Daughters of St. Mary of Providence live their special vocation, binding themselves to God with the three vows of Chastity, Poverty, and Obedience. Faithful to the Magisterium of the Church, the Sisters spread the "culture of charity" ministering to:

• Physically and mentally handicapped children and adults
• Youth Groups
• Senior Citizens in Health Care Facilities/Assisted Living Arrangements
• Special Needs Persons in ICF-DD Long-term Care Services
• Pastoral Work and Religious Education Classes

At present, over 1200 members are represented in fourteen countries around the world: Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Romania; India; Philippine Islands; Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay; Mexico, Canada and the United States.

Blessed Guanella, himself, came to the United States in 1912 and the Congregation established its first house in Chicago in 1913. In November, 2000, the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence celebrated their 75th anniversary of the Mother House.

The following is a listing of the Houses in the North American Province: St. Mary of Providence, St. Rose Center, and Mt. St. Joseph in the Chicago area; St. Mary of Providence Center, Elverson, Pennsylvania; Divine Providence Village, Springfield, Pennsylvania; St. Edmond's Home, Rosemont, Pennsylvania; Don Guanella Center, Chelsea, Massachusetts; Our Lady of Providence, Northville, Michigan; Divine Providence Community Home, Sleepy Eye, Minnesota; St. Bernard's Providence Hospital and St. William's Home, Milbank, South Dakota; Our Lady of Sorrows, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Casa Guadalupe, Iztapalapa, Mexico City, Mexico.

As a sign of their total consecration to Christ, the Sisters wear a simple, uniform habit with veil and a Crucifix.

Persons interested in more
information may write to:

Sr. Barbara Moerman, Formation Director
Daughters of St. Mary of Providence
24955 N. Hwy 12
Lake Zurich, IL 60047-8919

[Updated: 2/23/2002]

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