Important tool of knowledge,
Guanellian Pages, n. 3 of the historiographical magazine, edited by the Guanellian Studies Center
A famous saying rightly states that history is not made with se or with ma. What constitutes it in a solid way, with certainty and linearity, are not unusual hypotheses or positions taken, but the patience of research, the humility to advance in small steps, the willingness to compare. The interpretations of more or less major events of the past, the judgment on significant figures, the understanding of changes over time are points of arrival reached with complex work and shared reflection, within a common cultural heritage.
Within religious congregations, the awareness that even their own history should be addressed with the rigor of the scientific method is relatively recent. The Second Vatican Council indicated the «continuous return to the sources and to the primitive inspiration» (Perfectae caritatis, 2) the condition for that necessary adaptation to the changed conditions of the times, capable however of remaining faithful to the origins. But the knowledge of the founders and the "charismatic" beginnings had to be freed from a certain hagiographic patina and devotional custom, to arrive at authentic images of the people, at realistic definitions of the processes.
The Guanellian congregations have taken these indications very seriously and have engaged in long and detailed work to "rediscover" their history in a deeper dimension. It is an undertaking that is not yet finished and has seen several generations of scholars at work, requiring huge resources.
In 1982-84 the anastatic edition in six volumes of the 1892-1915 years of Divine Providence, the monthly bulletin founded by Don Luigi Guanella to provide news of his works, solicit charity and offer Christian-oriented opinions on current events. This edition was the first source made available to researchers, a very rich mine of data and information.
Numerous publications have then documented the development and expansion of studies: the proceedings of the conference for the centenary of the Como parent company in 1986, the 22 volumes of the "Historical Essays" series published from 1989 to 2018, the "Guanellian" letters of Bishop Aurelio Bacciarini released in 1999-2000, the 2002 volume with all the documentation relating to Blessed Chiara Bosatta. The volume of the books is very recent, from the end of 2023 Publicist writings which leads to the desired fulfillment Published and unpublished works by Luigi Guanella, begun in 1988: approximately 8700 pages including introductions, texts and indexes, also available online in the IntraText digital library. The edition of Luigi Guanella's letters is currently being perfected and implemented, with over 3500 documents already available online.
It is a vast and multifaceted "construction site", which has brought much to light and where there is still much to discover. To continue this work undertaken for about half a century, the most recent instrument is an annual periodical publication, Guanellian Pages, which has as its subtitle Historical magazine of the Guanellian Studies Center. This office, established at the end of the Seventies by the Servants of Charity and the Daughters of Saint Mary of Providence, from the "historic" Roman headquarters in Via Aurelia Antica is still the center of convergence and coordination of Guanellian research and historical publications. The tireless activity of Luigi Guanella, the numerous relationships he maintained, the diffusion of his works and the presence of his men and women religious in a continuity that is moving towards 150 years of existence, have left vast documentation in many archives, starting precisely with those of the Guanellian congregations.
For a long time the need had been felt to recover and enhance this material, to "interrogate" it with correct historical methodology to continue the construction of the great edifice of knowledge and outline new study projects.
A scientific historiography journal is the natural place to welcome specific research, offer effective summaries, publish significant sources and documents. Many religious institutes have equipped themselves with this useful tool, just mention it Salesian Historical Research o Messages from Don Orione, to remain in areas close to the Guanellian one. Started in 2021, Guanellian Pages it is the latest arrival, but it has gained a place of respect in the historiographical panorama of religious institutes: it is present in the main civil and ecclesiastical libraries and has obtained qualified certificates of esteem. With the recent publication of n. 3 it can be said that the magazine is no longer just a generous attempt but has become an experience to be continued, thanks above all to the availability of motivated and authoritative collaborators that the Guanellian Studies Center has been able to "mobilize" around this challenging cultural project, to know and spread the value of the Guanellian charism over time through scientific historiography.