Our mission places us at the service of persons who, individually or as a group, live in diverse situations of physical and psychological, material and moral poverty, as well as in isolation or under oppression.

Lay Ministries

The Guanellian Lay Movement (GLM) is an association that gathers individuals, groups, and Christian lay associations inspired by the life, spirit and charism of Blessed Louis Guanella.  Because of that, they turn their concern and ministry toward those who live in extreme situations of abandonment, hardships and suffering. 

We joyfully notice that the number of lay people, to whom the Lord shares the Guanellian charism, is growing together with the propagation of many lay groups who take their inspiration from the charism of our Founder. 

The Guanellian laity is aware that Fr. Guanella was endowed by the Holy Spirit with a filial and merciful heart capable of perceiving God as “Abba-Father”, a heart rich in bounty and providence that wants to make all people one family.  From the Heart of Christ, he drew an extraordinary sensitivity in recognizing, understanding, and coming to the aid of persons in need, seeing in everyone the face of Christ. 

To the Guanellian laity too, as well as to the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence, the Servants of Charity, and the Guanellian Cooperators, the Holy Spirit communicates the grace and the inspiration of the Founder so that they may carry on within the Church His ministry of charity.  They gratefully welcome the precious gift of a “heart of charity” which motivates them in their commitment and responsibility. 

The Guanellian laity love God and they connect with Him in fortifying their affection proper to children who tenderly trust in the Father’s will.  They become witnesses of that love within their society by lighting the fire of hope so that our time may be open to its true destiny, the filial communion with God. 

The Guanellian laity should acquire the spirituality of Blessed Guanella whose heart is to be found in the Divine paternity and in the far-sighted tenderness of Mary.  In union with Jesus, the Good Shepherd and Good Samaritan, they should give themselves without limit in dispensing “Bread and the Lord” to those living in situations of abandonment, hardships and suffering. 

They should commit themselves to know the life and mission of Fr. Guanella, of Blessed Clare Bosatta, and of those lay people who shared in an exemplary way his charism, and in particular his own sister, the Servant of God Catherine Guanella.  They should look for and study how to interpret and live, as laity, the Guanellian charism, spirituality and mission. 

The laity, who share the gift of the Divine call to have a heart filled with charity and choose to live their life in the world according to the distinctive quality of Blessed Guanella’s spirituality, may freely join the GLM. Interested supporters may join by making a formal request to their local Religious Community.

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