Confraternities of Charity

Confraternities of Charity are voluntary groups founded in the Middle Ages by laypeople dedicated to serving the needy and promoting Christian charity. They often organized charitable activities like caring for the sick, helping the poor, and providing community support. These groups operated independently from the church hierarchy but aligned with Christian values of compassion. Over time, they played a significant role in social welfare, emphasizing community involvement and collective responsibility in addressing societal needs. Their focus was on practical charity work, fostering solidarity among members while addressing the spiritual and material needs of marginalized populations.