Starting in 1899, Orione started to gather a group of priests and clerics that were to become Piccola Opera della Divina Provvidenza (Little Work of Divine Providence).
In 1903 the group received the full authorization of the bishop as a religious congregation called the Sons of Divine Providence.

One of the priests who was in his inner circle was Lorenzo Perosi, who later became Perpetual Director of the Sistine Chapel Choir and one of the most famous composers of sacred music.
Perosi was born in the same year and the same region as Orione; they remained lifelong friends.

In 1908 Orione went to Messina, Sicily, and Reggio Calabria, Calabria, both of which had been devastated by earthquakes.
He dedicated three years to help those in need, most especially the caring of orphans.
In 1915 he went to Marsica when that region had a similarly devastating earthquake.
That same year he founded the Little Missionary Sisters of Charity.

At the end of World War I, Orione began to expand his work.
He founded schools, farming colonies, charity organizations and nursing homes—always with a special emphasis on helping orphans and the poor.
Over the next two decades, he started foundations throughout Italy and the Americas.
Starting in 1899, Orione started to gather a group of priests and clerics that were to become Piccola Opera della Divina Provvidenza (Little Work of Divine Providence). In 1903 the group received the full authorization of the bishop as a religious congregation called the Sons of Divine Providence.
One of the priests who was in his inner circle was Lorenzo Perosi, who later became Perpetual Director of the Sistine Chapel Choir and one of the most famous composers of sacred music. Perosi was born in the same year and the same region as Orione; they remained lifelong friends.
In 1908 Orione went to Messina, Sicily, and Reggio Calabria, Calabria, both of which had been devastated by earthquakes. He dedicated three years to help those in need, most especially the caring of orphans. In 1915 he went to Marsica when that region had a similarly devastating earthquake. That same year he founded the Little Missionary Sisters of Charity.
At the end of World War I, Orione began to expand his work. He founded schools, farming colonies, charity organizations and nursing homes—always with a special emphasis on helping orphans and the poor. Over the next two decades, he started foundations throughout Italy and the Americas.
Luigi Orione