ORIONE, LUIGI. - Priest, founder of the Little Work of Divine Providence, b. at Pontecurone (Alessandria) on 23 June 1872, d. at San Remo on 12 March 1940. Entering as a boy the Friars Minor of Voghera, he was dismissed for poor health and was taken in at the Salesian Oratory in Turin, where he met Don Bosco and witnessed his holy death. At 18 he returned to his diocese, serving as sacristan of the cathedral in Tortona, and was able to complete his studies in the seminary, being ordained priest in 1895.
Even as a cleric, he founded the first Sunday oratory and laid the foundations of the “Little Work of Divine Providence” (v.), devoting himself entirely to the cause of the Church, the poor, the destitute, and the needy. To this end he established the Sons of Divine Providence, the Little Missionary Sisters of Charity, the Hermits of Divine Providence, blind and sighted, and the blind Sacramentine Sisters. During the Calabrian-Sicilian and Marsica earthquakes, he tirelessly worked for the salvation of orphans. He traveled twice to Latin America (1921 and 1934), everywhere inspiring initiatives of good. Always sustained by the blessing of the popes, he enjoyed the special favor of Pius X, who received his perpetual vows and entrusted him with missions of trust, among other things naming him vicar general of Messina in the years following the earthquake. With a final message of love to the Pope, he closed his life, entirely consecrated to the exercise of charity. At his death, he received triumphal honors.
His remains rest in the sanctuary of Our Lady of Guard in Tortona. The cause of beatification has been introduced before the Congregation of Rites.