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.
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 should acquire the spirituality of Saint Guanella whose heart is to be found in the Divine paternity and in the far-sighted tenderness of Mary. They should commit themselves to know the life and mission of St. Guanella, of Blessed Clare Bosatta and study how to interpret and live, as laity, the Guanellian charism, spirituality and mission.
Guanellian Cooperators are defined as, “Those who choose to live the spirit, charism and mission of the Founder in an official and public form by making a promise to live their Catholic faith in the footsteps of St. Louis Guanella.”
St. Louis Guanella had the foresight to understand many years ago, that his mission would not succeed without the help of the laity. The publication Making Charity the Heart of the World, states that “The Guanellian Lay Movement is essentially a choice of mind and heart; only a vital commitment. All men and women who appreciate the charism of charity can be members of the Movement: