HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

The Little House of Divine Providence, founded by Saint Joseph Cottolengo, is a civil and ecclesial institution. He was an Italian priest, born on 3rd of May 1786, and was ordained a priest in Turin in 1811. He had deep faith in Divine Providence and spent his entire life taking care of the most needy and abandoned people. The Little House (La Piccola Casa) is grounded on Divine Providence, its spirit is the charity of Christ, it is supported by prayers and, at the centre of its activities, are the poor.

Witnessing the death of a mother of three children who was pregnant and very sick yet denied admission in any hospital, Cottolengo knelt in prayer before the picture of the Virgin Mary, our Lady of Graces, and felt inspired by Divine Providence to start a charitable institution for the poors following the example of Saint Vincent de’ Paul. From day to day his heart was evermore impelled by Divine Mercy hence he surrendered himself to God the Father in the service of the poor, expressing his interior inspiration with the words of Saint Paul. (“Caritas Christi Urget nos”) “The love of God impels us” (2Cor 5:14).