The Venerabile Arciconfraternita di Misericordia di Viareggio is a volunteer association that belongs to the Movimento delle Misericordie, founded in Florence in 1244 by Pietro da Verona, later Saint Peter Martyr. Today, Mercy associations are present in Italy and abroad, with more than 700 brotherhoods.
History
The Venerabile Arciconfraternita di Misericordia di Viareggio was founded as the Compagnia del SS. Sacramento e della Carità Cristiana by 14 founders on 18 April 1826. The brotherhood was founded with the aim of assisting the destitute, supporting the afflicted and giving the deceased a dignified burial. On 4 March 1838, the organisation ceased to be called Compagnia del SS. Sacramento e della Carità Cristiana and split into two separate associations: the Compagnia del SS. Sacramento and the Compagnia della Carità Cristiana, now the Misericordia. The purpose of the Compagnia della Carità Cristiana was an active Christian commitment to alleviating human suffering. This was a commitment by lay Catholics who could collaborate with, but not be dependent on, ecclesiastical authority. This principle was firmly upheld in 1856, when the brotherhood refused to submit its records to inspection by the ecclesiastical authority. Initially, the brotherhood’s meetings were held in the parish church or at the Provost’s residence. The equipment used for funeral services and assisting the sick was also stored in premises near the parish. The need soon arose for a place, an oratory of their own, where they could freely celebrate their rites and store the brotherhood’s equipment. Initially, an agreement was reached with the Franciscan fathers to allocate to the organisation a room in the parish church, where restoration work was under way. On 22 June 1889, during a meeting of the entire brotherhood, the statute of the Venerabile Confraternita di Misericordia was read. Following further amendments, it entered into force on 1 January 1892. By royal decree of 19 January 1896, the brotherhood was classified and recognised among the public charitable institutions subject to the law of 17 July 1890 n°6972.
As Viareggio is particularly crowded during the summer, the need arose to establish a first-aid unit capable of responding very quickly; this led to the creation of the Plotone ciclistico.
Viareggio also attracted many unemployed people hoping to find seasonal work that would allow them to earn some money; the need therefore arose to build a shelter for those who found themselves in the Versilia town without any money. This led to discussions about building a night shelter. To raise money for its construction, it was proposed to create a recreational club where only members of the brotherhood could purchase spirits, wine and coffee.
In July 1937, the need was discussed to build a church within the brotherhood’s cemetery to hold religious services. The work was completed only in spring 1943, after a very troubled period caused by Italy’s entry into the war.
Also in 1940, the brotherhood received ecclesiastical recognition of its continuing expansion through a papal brief issued by Pope Pius XII, which granted it the title of archconfraternity. The years from 1943 to 1945 were terrible: the members of the brotherhood were engaged in recovering bodies torn apart by bombs during air raids, and many episodes remain vivid in the memories of those who lived through those troubled years. The war had deprived the brotherhood of all or almost all the vehicles used to transport the sick and the deceased. On 11 January 1953, the Gruppo donatori sangue “Fratres” was founded within the Misericordia. In 1960, a sports group was established within the brotherhood, named “Sporting Club Vigor”. The Misericordia has always been particularly attentive to the needs of the most vulnerable and defenceless groups. In this charitable spirit, it also cared for children by managing, initially through a Comitato di Amministrazione and later directly, a childcare institution named after Elisabetta De Sortis, its founder. In 1992, the organisation was declared a private entity and was no longer recognised as an IPAB; it therefore ceased to be governed by the relevant laws and implementing regulations. It is now registered in the public register of private legal entities.
Activities
- ANTI-USURY CENTRE
- CHILDREN’S SERVICES
- HEALTHCARE TRAINING
- SOCIAL SERVICES AND ELDERLY PEOPLE
- CEMETERY
- FUNERAL SERVICES
- CIVIL PROTECTION
- AMBULANCES