Seminarian Biography: Alan Guanella

Alan Guanella Senior Collegian

Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary 700 Terrace Heights #1333  Winona, MN 55987-1399

Alan Guanella was born on December 14, 1986 in La Crosse, WI to Gregory and Carol Guanella. He was baptized at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph the Workman (La Crosse) and calls Saint James the Less in La Crosse his home parish.

Alan attended Saint James Grade School before attending Aquinas Middle School in La Crosse. After middle school, Alan attended Aquinas High School (La Crosse) graduating in 2005 and was honored with the Bishop's Medal for Excellence in Religion.

Alan is currently a senior collegian at Immaculate Heart of Mary Seminary (Saint Mary's University of Minnesota) and will graduate in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in philosophy with minors in history and theology. His year of ordination is 2013.

Alan's ecclesiastical interests include liturgy, the Saints, Sacred Music, Church and diocesan history, as well as the Knights of Columbus. Alan is a Fourth Degree member of the Brother Justinus Elzear Knights of Columbus Council #5202 in Winona, MN and currently holds the rank of Past Grand Knight.  He is also a member of the Bishop Schwebach Assembly #1195 in La Crosse, WI and Fourth Degree Honor Guard. Alan's secular interests include cooking, reading, numismatics (study of coins), vexillology (study of flags), heraldry, philately (study of stamps), typography & typesetting as well as domestic (MLS & CONCACAF) and international soccer (UEFA & UEFA Champions League).  Alan is also a commissioned Notary Public in the  State of Wisconsin.

When asked about his favorite books and authors, Alan states J.R.R. Tolkien, St. Alphonsus Ligouri, Matthew Reily, and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Alan enjoys Broadway and Manhattan-style music as well as Celtic music, classical-crossover, and alternative/punk rock music.