 Coat of Arms | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | August 15, 1498; 527 years ago (1498-08-15) |
| Motto | Por boas causas ("For good causes") |
Santa Casa da Misericórdia is acharitable institution whose mission is to treat and support the sick, the disabled, and orphans. Founded inLisbon in 1498 byQueen Leonor of Portugal, the institution grew into a network of charitable organizations spanning across thePortuguese Empire and there are now Santas Casas da Misericórdia located acrossPortugal,Brazil, and the rest of thePortuguese-speaking world.
The institution traces its official foundation to 1498, whenQueen Leonor opened theMisericórdia of Lisbon.[1] Recently made a widow by the death ofKing John II of Portugal, the Queen had begun dedicating herself intensely to the sick, poor, orphans, prisoners, artists, and sponsored the founding of the brotherhood, based on the model of previous Italian charities, first founded in Florence in 1244.[2]
The operations of theMisericórdia were overseen by 30noblemen and 30 laymen in charge of carrying out the 14 Works of Mercy which the Misericórdia committed itself to.
At the encouragement of KingManuel I of Portugal, and his successors, similar organizations were created in many other cities and towns of Portugal and of theformer Portuguese Empire, like inBrazil,Macau and even inNagasaki,Japan.[3]
The performance of these institutions had two phases: the first one comprised the period from the mid-eighteenth century to 1837, of a charitable nature; the second, from 1838 to 1940, with concerns of a philanthropic nature.
The first Santa Casa to be established inBrazil was established in 1539, in the city ofOlinda, in thecolony of New Lusitania, which was the first hospital inColonial Brazil.
TheSanta Casa da Misericórdia of Macau, inChina, was established in 1569.
TheSanta Casa de Misericórdia of Luanda, inAngola, was established in 1628.
TheUnião das Misericórdias Portuguesas (UMP) (in Portuguese) provides additional information on theMisericórdias in Portugal and throughout the world. Currently, there are388 activeMisericórdias in Portugal and over 2000 similar organizations in Brazil.[4]
The "14Works of Mercy" which the Santa Casa da Misericórdia commits itself to are split into seven of spiritual nature and seven of corporeal nature.[5]
The seven of spiritual nature are:[5]
and seven of corporeal nature:[5]
All works have their roots in Christian doctrine, found in biblical texts of theGospel of St. Matthew and theEpistles of St. Paul and other doctors of the Catholic Church. To do this, the fellowship often does not need to have a physical institution, enforcing the fourteen works on the streets, in prisons, etc.
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