Santa Casa da Misericórdia


Santa Casa da Misericórdia is a charitable institution whose mission is to treat and support the sick, the disabled, and orphans. Founded in Lisbon in 1498 by Queen Leonor of Portugal, the institution grew into a network of charitable organizations spanning across the Portuguese Empire and there are now Santas Casas da Misericórdia located across Portugal, Brazil, and the rest of the Portuguese-speaking world.

History

Early origins

The institution traces its official foundation to 1498, when Queen Leonor opened the Misericórdia of Lisbon. Recently made a widow by the death of King 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.
The operations of the Misericórdia were overseen by 30 noblemen and 30 laymen in charge of carrying out the 14 Works of Mercy which the Misericórdia committed itself to.
At the encouragement of King Manuel I of Portugal, and his successors, similar organizations were created in many other cities and towns of Portugal and of the former Portuguese Empire, like in Brazil, Macau and even in Nagasaki, Japan.
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.

Expansion across the Portuguese Empire

The first Santa Casa to be established in Brazil was established in 1539, in the city of Olinda, in the colony of New Lusitania, which was the first hospital in Colonial Brazil.
The Santa Casa da Misericórdia of Macau, in China, was established in 1569.
The Santa Casa de Misericórdia of Luanda, in Angola, was established in 1628.

Today

The União das Misericórdias Portuguesas provides additional information on the Misericórdias in Portugal and throughout the world. Currently, there are active Misericórdias in Portugal and over 2000 similar organizations in Brazil.

Beliefs

The "14 Works of Mercy" which the Santa Casa da Misericórdia commits itself to are split into seven of spiritual nature and seven of corporeal nature.
The seven of spiritual nature are:
and seven of corporeal nature:
All works have their roots in Christian doctrine, found in biblical texts of the Gospel of St. Matthew and the Epistles 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.

Santas Casas around the world

Angola: