{"id":78526,"date":"2026-05-20T14:19:43","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T13:19:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spaziospadoni.org\/training-institutions\/venerabile-arciconfraternita-di-misericordia-di-viareggio\/"},"modified":"2026-07-23T14:36:48","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T13:36:48","slug":"venerabile-arciconfraternita-di-misericordia-di-viareggio","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/spaziospadoni.org\/en\/training-institutions\/venerabile-arciconfraternita-di-misericordia-di-viareggio\/","title":{"rendered":"Venerabile Arciconfraternita di Misericordia di Viareggio"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Venerabile<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

History<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Venerabile Arciconfraternita di Misericordia di Viareggio was founded as the Compagnia del SS. Sacramento e della Carit\u00e0 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 Carit\u00e0 Cristiana and split into two separate associations: the Compagnia del SS. Sacramento and the Compagnia della Carit\u00e0 Cristiana, now the Misericordia. The purpose of the Compagnia della Carit\u00e0 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\u2019s meetings were held in the parish church or at the Provost\u2019s 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\u2019s 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\u00b06972.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a0Plotone ciclistico.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"2022_settembre_hicsum_12_suor_marielouise_lucca_barbantini_ministre_infermi_formazione_misericordia_viareggio_convivialita_spazio_spadoni-2\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\u202fclub where only members of the brotherhood could purchase spirits, wine and coffee.\u202f <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In July 1937, the need was discussed to\u202fbuild a church within the brotherhood\u2019s cemetery to\u202fhold religious services. The work was completed only\u202fin spring 1943, after a very troubled period caused by Italy\u2019s entry into the war. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also in 1940, the brotherhood\u202freceived ecclesiastical recognition of its continuing\u202fexpansion 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.\u202fThe war had deprived the brotherhood of all or almost all the\u202fvehicles used to transport the sick and the deceased. \u202fOn 11 January 1953, the\u202fGruppo donatori sangue \u201cFratres\u201d was founded within the Misericordia. In 1960, a sports group was established within the brotherhood,\u202fnamed \u201cSporting Club Vigor\u201d.\u202fThe Misericordia has always been particularly attentive to the\u202fneeds 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,\u202fa childcare institution named after\u202fElisabetta De Sortis,\u202fits founder. In 1992, the organisation was declared a private entity and was no longer \u202frecognised as an IPAB; it therefore ceased to be governed by the relevant laws and \u202fimplementing regulations. It is now registered in the\u202fpublic register of private legal entities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Activities<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n