n the 6th of July, 1518, by a pledge granted by the hand of D. Manuel I, the Confraria da Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Bragança was founded. Later, in 1641, D. João IV granted him the same privileges and exemptions as the Santa Casa da Misericórdia in Lisbon, having installed himself in the church dedicated to the Holy Spirit, whose Confraternity already existed in 1316, which in turn had been installed in the chapel and churchyard of Santa Maria Madalena to dedicate themselves to prayer and the burial of their dead.

All the poverty, in all its breadth, constitutes the raison d’être of the Santa Casa. The distribution of “goats” to the poor on the most solemn days of the year – Christmas and Easter – was a characteristic habit of this Santa Casa. These were days of great gala for Charity, if you can say so.

The primitive Commitment of the Confraria da Santa Casa da Misericórdia, granted by D. Manuel I on July 6, 1518, was updated by the Commitments of 1618, 1856, 1877 and 1981, with a new update planned. We cannot forget that, occasionally, the General Assembly made small changes regarding the functioning of the Organs, namely with regard to adaptations to the Laws issued by the General Directorate of Assistance regarding the hospital. Although it was administered by Santa Casa, the Hospital was under the tutelage of the State.

And so this Charity Work came to us, which, under the terms of its Commitment, continues to practice the Works of Mercy. These fraternal duties towards others, even if fulfilled in life, the Holy House continues to give continuity to them after his death through various suffrages.

History of the Mercies in Portugal

In 1498, Portugal saw the foundation of the Obra das Misericórdias, which later came to manage hospitals, including lepers, and which were widely disseminated during the 16th century.

Although officially lacking royal authorization, which was never denied, the condition for the adoption of the Lisbon Commitment of Misericordia was imposed. Subsequently, the said authorization, when obtained, was accompanied by the privilege of taking charge of the hostels, hospitals and other brotherhoods. In this way, in many places, assistance to the needy and those exposed to dangers of all kinds, was in charge of Misericórdia, a task previously considered an obligation of the municipalities. As for the Criandários – Institutions that took care of helpless and orphaned children – the entity in charge varied according to the localities.

The foundation of the Confraria da Misericórdia is due, as we know, to Queen D. Leonor, wife of D. João II, the “Perfect Prince”, and to the important contribution of her confessor, Frei Miguel de Contreiras. D. Manuel I, his son, came to give him great protection and privileges, which were perpetuated through the Written Commitment that he granted him.

Later, Felipe II, registering himself as Brother of Mercy, approved, in 1618, a reform of the Commitment, which remained in force until the 19th century.

This reform highlights the determination to have in each parish four confreres in charge of asking, on Sundays, after Mass, for bread for prisoners and the sick. Thus the figure of the “mamposteiros” appeared.

It was like this, asking for alms, that they were able to support prisoners and dedicate themselves to other assistance works, namely the granting of dowries to orphans, from pensions to interviewed and ashamed, support to invalids, burial of the poor and slaves … Splendid Charity! …

The Manueline Ordinations enshrined the duty of prelates and their vicar to visit and provide for hospitals and all hostels and chapels. Later, the Philippine Ordinations also came to stipulate similar provisions.

Among the uses and customs of the Misericórdias, we highlight the “processions of penitents or stoves, that of Santo Lenho” and “bodos” – a custom of Roman origin transferred to the Iberian Peninsula, strongly rooted throughout the country, which consisted of in the distribution of bread and meat or bread and cheese to prisoners and destitute on the occasion of the great festivals, mainly at the festival of the Holy Spirit – called “the Father of the Poor”. There was also the custom of distributing “soups of charity”.

This assistance movement, and above all the royal privileges, brought to Portugal many congregations that devoted themselves to hospital assistance. Among them, we refer to the Obregões – whose founder was a religious and former military man, whose name is Bernardino Obregon, born in Burgos – Spain – who dedicated himself to the service of the poor and sick – and the Friars Loios who dedicated themselves to nursing, such like the brothers of the Third Order of S. Francisco. The latter, together with the Carmelites, provided hospital and nursing assistance to pilgrims, having also created some hospitals. Also worthy of mention is the work carried out by the Trinity, Carmo and Rosary Orders.

A great ideal was this, of providence and providence, of Queen D. Leonor de Lencastre, making Santa Casa a true Conference of S. Vicente de Paulo CZ, also providing home assistance to shamed and hidden poverty.

The 14 works of Mercy

Spiritual works:

• Teaching the simple ones
• Give good advice
• Correct with charity those who make mistakes
• Comfort those who suffer 
• Forgive those who offend us 
• Suffer injuries with patience
• Praying to God for the living and the dead

Body Works: 

• Redeem the captives and visit the prisoners
• Heal the sick;
• Cover the nudes
• Feed the hungry;
• Give water to those who are thirsty;
• To give lodging to pilgrims and the poor;
• Bury the dead