Santa Casa da Misericórdia
Santa Casa da Misericórdia is a lay Portuguese charity founded in 1498, whose mission is to treat and support the sick, the disabled, as well as abandoned newborns. History. 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, seven of which of spiritual nature: 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. 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. The "União das Misericórdias Portuguesas" (UMP) (in Portuguese) provides additional information on the "Misericórdias" in Portugal and throughout the world. Currently, there are 388 active "Misericórdias" in Portugal and over 2000 similar  organizations in Brazil. In Brazil. In Brazil, the "Misericórdias" emerged in the colonial period, the first one being established in 1539 in Olinda, Pernambuco.