edited by the editorial staff
C'The "Don Luigi Guanella" Museum is also the only museum center in the province of Como, participating in the "800 Years of Saint Francis. All Creation Sings" project. This is a "Diffused Museum" initiative that, for the third year, involves museums and art galleries in Lombardy. The initiative was promoted by the Terra Santa Foundation, with the support of the Cariplo Foundation and the contribution of the Lombardy Region.
Perhaps someone might ask: what does the Saint of Fraciscio have to do with the Saint of Assisi? It's a legitimate question, the answer to which encompasses almost the entire life of Don Guanella. He joined the Third Order of Saint Francis on March 19, 1877, in the fraternity established at the parish of Trinità di Mondovì (Cuneo), while he was attached to the Salesian Congregation and directed the college-oratory in that Piedmontese village. He subsequently assiduously cultivated contacts and closeness with the Franciscan families, especially with the convent of the Madonna del Pianto in Dongo. And in any case, the figure and spirit of the Poverello of Assisi have a well-documented place in Don Guanella's spiritual experience.
In the Museum at the Casa Divina Provvidenza in Como, for the "Diffused Museum" initiative, the first original editions of two texts that Don Guanella wrote during the period in which he was parish administrator in Pianello del Lario were exceptionally exhibited: A Poor Man of Christ. Memoirs for the Worldwide Celebrations of the Seventh Centenary of the Birth of Saint Francis of Assisi (1882), a short life of the Saint written on the occasion of the seven hundredth anniversary of his birth and dedicated to the members of the Franciscan Third Order; The Third Order of St. Francis and the encyclical of Pope Leo XIII (1883), in which he commented on passages of the encyclical Desired concession of Leo XIII, who promoted the Franciscan Third Order. These writings are the most significant expression of his devotion to the Saint of Assisi, which is also expressed in frequent references in his other works, especially his pastoral writings, often in the form of examples and anecdotes.
Also in the "Don Luigi Guanella" Museum, a panel and a display case are dedicated to the relationship between Don Guanella and nature: "Admirable is the temple of nature." He was born and raised in a small Alpine village, surrounded by woods and meadows; therefore, he knew how to see in the beauty of Creation a reflection of God's greatness and goodness; at the same time, he experienced the same spiritual harmony with Creation as Saint Francis.
The “Diffused Museum” project opened on November 15, 2025, and will conclude on February 1, 2026. To visit the Museum and the temporary exhibition, please contact Casa Divina Provvidenza by writing to: como.direzione@guanelliani.it
Furthermore, the complete program of initiatives for the Franciscan centenaries can be consulted on the website www.fratefrancesco2026.it