The Daughters of Saint Mary of Providence (Italian: ''Figlie di Santa Maria della Divina Provvidenza''; Latin: ''Congregatio Filiarum a Sancta Maria Providentiae''; abbreviation: ''F.S.M.P.'') is a

religious institute A religious institute is a type of institute of consecrated life in the Catholic Church whose members take religious vows and lead a life in community with fellow members. Religious institutes are one of the two types of institutes of consecrate ...

pontifical right In Catholicism "of pontifical right" is the term given to ecclesiastical institutions (religious and secular institutes, societies of apostolic life) either created by the Holy See, or approved by it with the formal decree known by the Latin nam ...

whose members profess public vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience and follow the evangelical way of life in common. Their works included instruction and religious education of youth and care of the elderly, orphans and sick. The institute traces its origins to 1872 at Pianello del Lario, Italy, when it was created by Carlo Coppini;Google Books website, ''Roman Sources for the History of American Catholicism, 1763-1939'', by Matteo Binasco
/ref> this group of lay volunteers was formed to minister to orphans and elderly in the parish of Pianello. The group grew under the leadership of

Dina Bosatta Dina Bosatta (27 May 1858 – 20 April 1887) was an Italian Roman Catholic professed religious ( nun) who became a professed member of the Daughters of Mary religious congregation alongside her sister Marcellina. Bosatta became a nun in 1878 and ...

(later Mother Chiara), who is considered one of the founders.Catholic Saints Info website, ''Blessed Chiara Bosatta''
/ref> In 1881

Luigi Guanella Luigi Guanella (19 December 1842 – 24 October 1915) was an Italian Roman Catholic priest. He was ordained a priest on May 26, 1866 in Como, and was assigned to a small parish in Savogno. Luigi is the founder of several religious institutes: th ...

became the new parish priest of Pianello and the group was placed under his direction. As the ecclesiastical superior, Guanella took an active interest in the development of this religious community; he helped to arrange for the formulation of its rule, its expansion, and its approval. The institute also honors Luigi Guanella as its founder. Members of the group opened a mission in Chicago in 1913. The sisters have houses in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, India, Italy, Mexico, Paraguay, Philippines, Romania, Spain, Switzerland and United States.Council of Major Superiors of Women Religious website, ''Daughters of Saint Mary of Providence''
/ref> The Generalate of the Congregation can be found in

Rome , established_title = Founded , established_date = 753 BC , founder = King Romulus (legendary) , image_map = Map of comune of Rome (metropolitan city of Capital Rome, region Lazio, Italy).svg , map_caption ...

, Italy. On 31 December 2005 there are 723 sisters in 115 communities.

References

External links

Daughters of Saint Mary of Providence official site (Rome)

Daughters of Saint Mary of Providence website (Chicago)
Catholic female orders and societies Religious organizations established in 1872 Catholic religious institutes established in the 19th century 1872 establishments in Italy {{Christian-org-stub