Mise International

This section offers a selection of contents translated into English, with the aim of providing a clear and accessible overview of the history, values, and activities of the Misericordie. It seeks to promote the culture of solidarity beyond national borders, fostering knowledge and dialogue at the international level.

This section offers a selection of contents translated into English, with the aim of providing a clear and accessible overview of the history, values, and activities of the Misericordie. It seeks to promote the culture of solidarity beyond national borders, fostering knowledge and dialogue at the international level.

History and Tradition

The Misericordie Movement dates back to the High Middle Ages and is closely connected to the historical circumstances of the city of Florence. During this period, one of the first Confraternities devoted to charitable works was founded.

The origins

The origins of the Misericordie Movement can be traced to the High Middle Ages and are closely connected to the historical circumstances of the city of Florence.

At a time when Italian municipalities (“comuni”) were flourishing, the struggle between the Empire and the Papacy was escalating, and the long-lasting effects of the split between the Christian and Orthodox Churches remained, several Companies or Confraternities were established to guide people towards the higher truths of the Gospel.

During this turbulent time, one of the first Confraternities devoted to charitable works was founded.

History

In this context, the Dominican Friar Pietro da Verona arrived in Florence in 1244. He was an impetuous preacher and a great leader. He remained in Florence until the end of 1245, after which he continued his mission in Northern Italy, where he was killed in Seveso in 1252. The following year, he was declared a Saint under the title of San Pietro Martire.

During his stay in Florence, Friar Pietro strengthened the power of the city’s Church. He fully understood the potential offered by spontaneous gatherings of worshippers. However, their informal character and the absence of Church-based statutes exposed these congregation forms to the risk of heresy.

That is why Friar Pietro established the first “Constitutions” of the Misericordia of Florence.

This reconstruction of the events leading to the foundation of the first Misericordia unfortunately lacks the original documents. These were allegedly lost during the devastating flood in 1557. Therefore, the establishment of the first “mother” Misericordia is confirmed in an indirect way: the first known document mentioning the Misericordia dates back to 1321 and shows that, at that time, the Company had the funds necessary to buy a house in front of the Baptistery.

San Pietro Martire was, in any case, the one who gave the first Misericordia the stability of an institution.

The legend

Along with this reconstruction based on documents, there is a deep-rooted popular tradition.

According to an ancient legend, the founder of the Company of Misericordia was a man named Piero, son of Luca Borsi, who worked in Florence as a porter for the powerful Arte della Lana (the wool guild of Florence during the Middle Ages). A group of these porters, including Piero, would stop for a drink at the “Buca degli Adimari”, a wine tavern close to the cathedral, between their trips.

Discussions were inevitable and frequent, perhaps due to fatigue, wine, and certainly due to ignorance. Piero’s companions would abandon themselves to cursing God’s name. Piero was deeply devoted, and would scold his peers for this behaviour, but without success.

He came up with the idea of imposing a fine whenever any of them cursed. His proposal was accepted by his fellow travellers and after some time they managed to collect a considerable amount of money. He then suggested using that sum to purchase six “zane”, wooden shoulder baskets, widely used among porters to transport the sick and bring them to the hospitals. His companions agreed that a fee would be paid for each trip they made. According to popular tradition, this is how the Company of Misericordia was founded.

History and tradition come together to highlight the founding elements that remain characteristic of every Misericordia to this day: fully ecclesial but also deeply secular and popular. 

The “buffa”

Since its establishment, the Misericordia adopted a “service attire” so that all Confreres looked alike without distinction of wealth or origins. It was a simple dress, later complemented with a cloak, called “buffa”, which covered the face. It was fastened at the waist with a cord to which the rosary crown was attached. 

This full-body coverage, the “buffa”, the gloves, and even the gaiters (cloth leg coverings worn as part of the habit), was also necessary to ensure the anonymity of the rescuer. Those who were helped were not supposed to know the identity of their helpers, in accordance with the Gospel principle which still guides the movement today: “Let not your left hand know what your right hand is doing”.

Originally the garment was red, meaning that the Acts of Mercy were inspired by the Holy Spirit.

In 1495, the garment was transformed: it became black as a sign of penance. This version is still used today in the historic garment that is handed to the new Confreres, who are called to publicly express their choice to live according to the evangelical charity during the vesting ceremony, which marks the end of their training and aspirant period.

The development of the Misericordie associations across Italy

Following the example of the Misericordia of Florence, in the following decades similar Confraternities were established in various cities and areas in Tuscany and later in other Italian regions. All shared some common characteristics: evangelical inspiration, a close bond with the Church, a mission at the service of the sick and the poor, strong popular participation, as well as a similar institutional structure. This means that the Misericordie associations are self-governed and composed of governing bodies freely elected by their members in accordance with their Statutes. 

Services also expanded: they not only included the transport of the sick, but also the burial of the dead, public hygiene measures during plagues, support for inmates and those on death row, assistance to women and families in distress, the management of hospitals and hospices, assistance during religious celebrations, and many other actions in response to the needs emerging in the various regions and communities.

Abroad

Towards the end of the 15th century, the experience of Misericordie also expanded to Portugal. No specific documents confirm a connection between the Italian Confraternities and the Portuguese Holy Houses of Mercy; however it seems that Queen Leonor promoted the foundation of the Misericórdia of Lisbon in 1498, after being moved by the story of a Portuguese mission to Florence a few years earlier. 

In a short period of time, the Holy Houses of Mercy spread throughout the country, gradually developing their own distinctive characteristics. They were called to manage increasingly complex services, they became strongly organized and ended up owning and managing most of the hospitals in Portugal.

Not only that: as historically great sailors and conquerors, the Portuguese also established a House of Mercy in every land of their empire throughout all their overseas dominions, from Brazil to Mozambique, from Sao Tomé to Macau.

Anyone visiting Portugal or its former colonies will find traces of the Holy Houses of Mercy. 

The origins of the Movement

Towards the mid-19th century, there were nearly one hundred Italian Misericordie, mainly in the former Grand Duchy of Tuscany, but also in the Kingdom of Sardinia, in the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom, and in the Papal states: different experiences, deeply rooted in local contexts, with very little contact between them, also due to the limited communication systems of the time. 

The end of the century and the social and cultural changes brought about by the “new” Kingdom of Italy gave rise to a desire among the Misericordie to share ideas, perspectives, and ideals, as well as the need to unite their strengths, affirm a common identity and promote joint initiatives and projects. After several months of preparatory contacts and meetings, the Misericordie met on 24 and 25 September 1899 in Pistoia for their first Congress, with the blessing of the Holy Father. At the end of the meeting they solemnly decided to found the Confederation of the Associations and Confraternities of Misericordia.

That date marked the origins of the Confederation and the beginning of the Movement.

Our identity

It was the year 1244 when “Men of deep faith established it, by joining together, to honour God with acts of mercy towards their neighbour”.

In medieval Florence, this endeavour began through the work of humble individuals, perhaps with limited education, who understood that their faith could not be based on theory alone, but required a practical approach. They therefore decided to put charity at the centre of their Christian life, devoting their hearts to the poor, the needy, to those whose broken lives no longer mattered to anyone.  

Christian charity, however, does not stem from ideals or philanthropic philosophies, but from God, who loves us first, forgives us first, welcomes us and waits for us. Christian charity is a gift from God.

In fact, the first Confreres would stop at the chapel to place themselves in God’s hands, before beginning any service. When they returned, after removing their habit, they would go back to the Church to thank God for granting them the opportunity to perform that act of mercy. This awareness is reflected in the traditional greeting of the Confreres: “may God reward you”. 

That story is not over. Time goes by: traditions, culture, sensibilities, languages change; however the spirit that gave rise to the Misericordie still lives on. These pages aim to offer some insights for reflection and spiritual growth to all Confreres who wish to deepen their commitment to the Misericordia, as a testimony of life and faith.

Bishop Franco Agostinelli, National Corrector, was born in Arezzo on 1 January 1944. He attended the Seminary in his hometown and was ordained a priest on 9 June 1968. In 1970, he obtained his License in Theology in Rome at the Pontifical Lateran University, and then he graduated in Moral Theology at the Pontifical Alfonsian Academy. After 14 years at the head of one of the largest parishes in Arezzo, he was called to the diocesan curia as Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Affairs in 1986. In 1997 he became Vicar General of Arezzo Diocese. On 17 November 2001, he was appointed Bishop of Grosseto and received episcopal ordination on 6 January 2002 in St. Peter’s Basilica directly from Pope John Paul II. From 29 September 2012 until 2019, he served as Bishop of Prato. Since then, he has been fully committed to his role as National corrector of the Movement of Misericordie, as its spiritual guide.

History and Tradition

 

The Misericordie today

For 8 centuries the work of the Misericordie has been aimed at helping the needy and the suffering, providing all forms of assistance, both material and spiritual.

Members 670.000

Youth for the community 5.000

Active Brothers and Sisters 100.000

“Case del noi” – Our Home 212

Vehicles 6.000

Services provided each year 3.850.000

The Confederation supports its member associations in project-making, advice and innovation, also through training and qualification courses both for managers of the Misericordie (in many cases, functioning as fully-fledged management) and individual Confreres and Consorelles.

In order to operate in a practical and organised manner, the Confederation has chosen Via dello Steccuto 38/40 in Florence as its main headquarters, which undoubtedly represents the central point of reference for the infrastructure necessary to carry out all its activities, particularly: 

  • training classrooms
  • 2nd level operation centre
  • reference centre
  • civil protection

The Confederation’s headquarters also represents the focal point not only for all volunteer organizations in Florence and Tuscany, but also at the national level, thus playing a very important role in the sector, and benefiting the region’s image.

For 8 centuries the work of the Misericordie has been aimed at helping the needy and the suffering, providing all forms of assistance, both material and spiritual.

Assisting and helping people has always been its main objective. In particular, Misericordie provide health transport, civil protection, social assistance and funeral services to the communities, often collaborating with other volunteer organisations.

The Movement is open to everyone, men and women from 16 to 80 years of age who are willing to help others. Volunteers can become Confreres and Consorelles and join the National Confederation, which is one of the largest and oldest Federations in Italy in the field of volunteering.

Misericordie today provide a wide range of complex services in the social and healthcare sectors, using modern facilities and over 2,500 vehicles.

  • Health and social transport
  • Emergency and First Aid, 24/7
  • Civil Protection, with equipped and specifically trained teams in almost all Misericordie
  • Funeral services
  • Cemetery management
  • Management of specialized ambulances
  • Management of nursing homes for the elderly
  • Self-managed services for haemodialysis
  • Home care and hospital care
  • Telecare and remote assistance
  • Support for inmates, the elderly, migrants, people with disabilities, individuals with addictions, and people living with HIV.
  • Measures against usury
  • Family free clinics
  • Helpline
  • Collection of aid and international humanitarian missions

Confreres and Consorelles

People need more than just technical help. They need humanity, care and attention. We need to stand out by not limiting ourselves to do what is convenient in that moment, but rather by dedicating ourselves to our neighbour with heartfelt attention, so that others can experience our human richness.

Alongside professional preparedness, what is also and especially necessary is the “education of the heart”.

(Benedictus XVI, Deus caritas est, n° 31)

The Confreres

Misericordia is a volunteer organization devoted to the constant promotion of charity and Christian fraternity through spiritual and corporal acts of mercy, helping individuals and communities and contributing to the formation of conscience in accordance with the teachings of the Gospel and the Roman Apostolic Church.  

These words best describe the spirit that guides the daily actions of the Confraternities throughout Italy.

The volunteer is the most important figure, playing an essential role in pursuing the aims and purposes on which every Misericordia is based. Volunteers can have different qualifications:

Volunteers aspiring to become Confreres

Those who collaborate in volunteer services for a fixed period of time as defined by the Statute or Regulations (usually over one year). During this period they experience the life of the Confraternity and prepare to become full participants, often accompanied by senior Confreres. They can then be admitted in most cases to the role of Full Confreres. According to the Statute, Confreres Buonavoglia may also be required to complete an aspirant period, during which they will also follow an adequate training programme.

Aspiring volunteers are not included in the members’ register, but only in the volunteers’ register, as provided for by the Third Sector Code. For this reason, they do not enjoy social rights, but may participate in the meetings as observers, without the right to vote or stand for election.  

After an adequate period of service and training, the volunteer becomes a fully-fledged Confrere or a Consorelle. This transition is formally marked by the Vesting Ritual. 

Full Confreres

They constitute the functional body of the Confraternity. They are the active Confreres and Consorelles who carry out charitable works of the Misericordia and contribute to its various services in the spirit that guides the association. They enjoy all the social rights established by the Statute and Regulations and fully participate in the Assembly with the right to vote. They acquire the right to stand for election after a period of time defined by the statute, usually no longer than two years, during which they acquire the knowledge necessary to lead a Misericordia.    

Confreres Buonavoglia

They spiritually adhere to the charitable and Christian ideals of the Confraternity. Since they don’t participate in the exercise of charitable works, they commit to supporting the works and services, both morally and financially, through their contribution fee. They enjoy all social rights established by the Statute and Regulations, as well as the right to vote and to stand for election as the Full Confreres.

The symbol of the Confrere of the Misericordia is the image depicted by Master Pietro Annigoni in a fresco over two meters high which adorns the facade of the Misericordia of Florence in Piazza Duomo, next to Giotto’s bell tower. The image portrays a Confrere of the Misericordia carrying a sick person with the typical wooden basket (“zana”).

The image is portrayed from behind, so that the face of the Confrere remains covered, nearly blending with that of the sick person. In the background, the gothic letters FM, the symbol of the Fraternity of the Misericordie, are clearly visible. This is because, today as in the past, at the end of every service, the only recognition that a Confrere can receive from God through the words of an unknown brother is: “may God reward you”.

The Confederation

Foundation of the Movement and History of the Confederation

Origins and development

Misericordie were born in Tuscany, in Florence, in 1244. They took origin from the first forms of civic participation in community life, which were called Confraternite (Confraternities). Since then, their work has been devoted to supporting the needy through both material and moral assistance.

From Tuscany, this model spread throughout Italy, with a particularly strong participation in Central and Southern Italy, thanks to the commitment and the values promoted by the Misericordie from Tuscany during disaster relief operations.

The Confederation and the origins of the Movement

Towards the end of 19th Century, the Italian Misericordie were approximately one hundred. They were especially located in the former Grand Duchy of Tuscany, but also in the Kingdom of Sardinia, in the Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom, and the Papal states. They were locally strong, however they had little contact between them, also due to the limited communication systems of the time.

At the end of the century, social and cultural upheavals of the new Kingdom of Italy made Misericordie aware of the importance of sharing ideas, identity and common objectives. After some months of preparation, on 24 and 25 September 1899 the first Congress took place in Pistoia with the blessing of the Holy Father. At the end of the meeting they solemnly decided to found the Italian Confederation of the Associations and Confraternities of Misericordia. That date marked the beginning of the Confederation Movement.

The National Confederation of the Misericordie of Italy

The Confederation has its main headquarters in Florence and gathers over 800 Misericordie (archconfraternities, confraternities, and fraternities), with approximately 670.000 members, 100.000 of which are active volunteers.

The role and functions of the Confederation

The Confederation plays a crucial role in coordinating, supporting, and representing its member Misericordie, as well as in promoting strategies and initiatives directed at them, operating on multiple levels:

  1. Institutional, fiscal and administrative support
    • It provides legal and accounting advice to the Misericordie
    • It represents the movement at national and international level, and liaises with public institutions, local authorities and ecclesial institutions
    • It promotes social and legal policies towards volunteering and third sector.
  2. Protection of the core values
    • It protects and emphasises the core values of the movement
    • It takes care of the human, ethical and spiritual aspects of the Confreres and provides for their training.
  3. Training and development of volunteers and managers
    • It organises training courses for managers and Confreres, guaranteeing the acquisition of technical and managerial skills
    • It develops training programmes on topics such as first aid, civil protection, social and healthcare assistance and emergency management
    • It develops train-the-trainer courses for future trainers.
  4. Coordination of emergency activities
    • It serves as the National Operational Centre in the event of disasters, and coordinates the operations of the Misericordie throughout the country (Pistoia headquarters)
    • It collaborates with Civil Protection and other organizations to ensure a prompt and effective response
  5. Universal Civil Service
    • It serves as the central reference headquarters for the Civil Service and it manages projects involving young volunteers in social, healthcare and assistance activities
  6. Innovation and project-making
    • It develops pilot projects in the social and healthcare sectors, as well as in the fields of technology and social inclusion
    • It promotes digital tools and advanced platforms to improve the efficacy of the services
    • It promotes the creation of networks among Misericordie, public institutions, and private organizations to address the new challenges of solidarity.

An integrated system serving the country

Its widespread structure on the national territory and strong shared identity enable the Confederation to pursue common goals and maintain operational synergy between all Misericordie, while respecting local characteristics and autonomy. 

Its commitment is reflected in the constant and reliable presence on the territory, with the ability to adapt to communities’ needs and anticipate emerging demands.

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