Louis Variara was born in Asti on 15^th January 1875. His parents were Pietro Variara and Livia Bussa. Louis' father had heard Don Bosco speak in 1856, when he arrived in the village to preach a mission. Louis' father then decided to send Louis to Valdocco to continue his studies. Louis briefly met Don Bosco before Don Bosco passed away a few months after Louis' arrival. But this brief encounter left a massive impression on Louis, and this led to Louis to want to join the Salesian Congregation.

On 17^th August 1891, Variara joined the Salesians and started his novitiate. Variara studied Philosophy at Valsalice. After Variara finished his novitiate, Fr Michele Unia SDB visited Valsalice. Don Unia was looking for a cleric to join him with the work in Colombia. Don Unia picked Variara out of the 188 candidates.

Variara arrived in Agua de Dios, Colombia on 6^th August 1894. The mission there had 2000 inhabitants of which 800 were lepers. Shortly after Variara's arrival, Don Unia died, leaving Variara and three others to continue the mission. Variara would do so, and in 1898 was ordained to the priesthood.

In 1905, Variara opened the "Father Michele Unia Youth Hostel" in memory of Don Unia. The kindergarten was able to hold 150 orphans and lepers in it, allowing them to learn a trade and giving them a path of insertion into society. With encouragement from Don Rua, and with permission of the local bishop, Variara founded the "Daughters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary". This order would provide care for those in the youth hostel. There were many, though, that opposed this order as it gave women lepers the opportunity to enter the religious life. However, Variara remained firm in his work.

In 1921, he was moved to Tariba in Venezuela, after being moved from place to place. His health started to worsen, and he was eventually moved back to Colombia in Cucuta, where on 1^st February 1923, he died. He was laid to rest in Agua de Dios.

Louis Variara was beatified on 14^th April 2002 by Pope John Paul II.