The Daughters of St. Mary of Providence were founded in 1881 by St. Louis Guanella, an Italian priest whose love for God inspired him to offer assistance to all those in need. Trusting completely in God’s loving care and power to provide for every need (“Divine Providence”), Fr. Guanella opened Homes throughout Italy and Switzerland. In 1913, he invited the Sisters to set out for the United States to work among Italian immigrants. Their work soon expanded to teaching in parish schools and caring for women and children with Special Needs.
Today, with their North American headquarters (aka their Mother House) in Chicago, the Daughters of St. Mary of Providence operate Skilled Nursing Facilities in Minnesota and South Dakota, as well as an Adult Day Care center, a Retreat Center, a Soup Kitchen, and residential care facilities for people with Special Needs in other parts of the United States. They also continue their involvement in parishes and parish schools.