Dear Daughters of St. Mary of Providence, Servants of Charity, Guanellian Cooperators, with this Letter of Communion of the Guanellian Family we wish to share with you, just as we have shared events and messages on previous occasions, some initiatives that the two General Councils and the World Council of Cooperators would like to undertake together this year.
We have recently celebrated the Epiphany, the manifestation to all people of the Son of God, the Word incarnate out of love for humanity and the Firstborn willing, through the sacrifice of himself, to bring every human being back to communion with the Father and to the inheritance of heaven.
We will soon celebrate the Feast of the Presentation at the Temple, an icon of Jesus' total offering, "a light for revelation to the Gentiles" and "a sign that will be spoken against so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
Contemplation of the beginnings of the earthly life of the Son of God, the Holy Year just concluded, and the invitations of Pope Leo XIV, encourage us to rediscover the centrality of Christ in our lives, as individuals and as a Guanellian Family.
Our Holy Founder reminded us of this several times:
- Our progress consists in getting as close to Jesus Christ as possible! (OO, vol. I p.426).
- A bond of union is a spirit of prayer, through which the soul always walks in the presence of God and constantly follows the example of Jesus Christ in everything. (OO, vol. IV p.223).
- You must, through the exercise of holy virtues, create in your heart a picture of sanctity resembling Jesus Christ, your father and master. (OO, vol. III p. 148).
We therefore wish to strengthen the shared journey in the spiritual life of the Guanellian Family, so that communion between us may be strengthened and our missionary spirit may be revived.
There are already local experiences of sharing among the FSMP, SdC, and GC, which have embraced these goals, such as the Spiritual Exercises of the Guanellian Family, which this year were left to the Provinces to organize; the programs shared by the respective Provincial Councils—for example, for years now, in Brazil—which define a shared path of formation and spirituality; and initiatives born from spontaneous collaboration between communities, such as the one launched between the Communities of Barza d'Ispra and Pianello del Lario, which includes meetings for dialogue, formation, discussion, and prayer, as well as opportunities for celebration and relaxation.
It is important to encourage and draw inspiration from these experiences to strengthen the bond that unites us as the Guanellian Family; let us never forget that, as heirs to the same spiritual heritage, we share a commitment to deepening the charism of Saint Aloysius Guanella, to update and spread it for the benefit of all God's people.
Our proposals this year:
- they do not replace, but rather complement initiatives already underway or being planned in various countries;
- they are aimed at all Guanellians in the world, even if the number of participants must be limited, in the hope of re-proposing the possibility of participation in the coming years;
- they are opportunities for those who feel the desire to dedicate particular spaces to training or contemplation or to the service of prayer;
- they are opportunities for growth on the path to maturation as a Guanellian Family.
Here they are below:
1). Charismatic formation "Gualdera: strong intentions for good"
In September 2026, we will repeat the experience we successfully began last year; this year, it is aimed at English-speaking Brothers, Sisters, and Cooperators.
This is a continuing education initiative involving the three branches of the Family
Guanelliana: a period of serious study, reflection, and discussion, to return to the sources of our charisma and consider together, with creative fidelity, how it should be expressed today in the diverse contexts in which we operate.
The event is scheduled to begin on Sunday, August 30th at the Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart in Como and conclude on Sunday, September 20th, again at the altar of the Holy Founder. The specific program is currently being developed.
The Superiors of the Provinces, Delegations and National Coordinators will be responsible for communicating the names of the interested persons to their respective General and World Councils.
2). Contemplative experience in Fraciscio
Last year, four Brothers lived a fraternal experience of contemplative life, prayer, and study in the Founder's birthplace.
This year, we would like to offer a small group of Sisters, Brothers, and Cooperators, who desire a time dedicated more to contemplation in the Guanellian spirit, the opportunity to spend 10 days in Fraciscio, under the guidance of a monk.
It is intended to be a time of special listening, prayer, and silence; a special time to encounter the Lord, recharge the batteries of our hearts and souls, and then better love and serve our brothers and sisters in His name.
The planned period is from May 1st to 10th; the program will be finalized shortly. Interested parties can register with their respective superiors or supervisors. There are only 6-7 places available, but the initiative may be repeated.
3). Guanellian Prayer Network
This is an initiative by a small group of religious men and women, endorsed by the General Councils and the World Council. It is aimed at all Guanellians who, for various reasons, feel they are not "doing enough" and feel that their usual activities of service, witness, and prayer are still insufficient compared to the needs of the Guanellian work today and the needs of the poor throughout the world.
Encouraged by Don Guanella's "you can't stop" and convinced that "it's God who does it," they are committed to offering a special Prayer Service: spending regular time alone with the Lord, in addition to the usual moments of prayer that each one already has in their usual routine of life and in spiritual union with the people and activities of the Work.
We therefore propose a personal moment of adoration, praise, thanksgiving, and intercession for the Guanellian family and for the many poor throughout the world. This will be done through a shared plan and specific intentions, which will be shared so that everyone can feel connected, even if they are each at home and at the most appropriate time.
The contact persons and details of the initiative will be communicated as soon as possible.
In addition to the experiences offered, this year we also have the opportunity to share important moments such as:
- the presentation and delivery of the new texts of the Constitutions and Regulations of the Servants of Charity, scheduled in Como on June 12, Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, and in Rome on June 20;
- the II World Assembly of the Guanellian Cooperators, with the election of the new
World Council, which will be held in Rome from October 7 to 11. Further details on both events will be provided.
We thank the Lord for having called us to be part of His Family in the footsteps of Saint Luigi Guanella, and we continue to share joys and sorrows, hardships and hopes as we walk together on the paths of Providence.
Kind regards and best wishes to all!
Rome, January 24, 2026
Memorial of St. Francis de Sales