The Gospel of Life in Charitable Mission of the Florentine Archconfraternity of Mercy yesterday and today

Abstract

The Florentine Archconfraternity of Charity (Misericordia di Firenze) is a centuries-old charitable organization whose origins date back to the Middle Ages. Today, it combines many forms of care and assistance activities for the benefit of human life. The purpose of this article is to show how the brotherhood implements the postulate of the encyclical Evangelium vitae to care for every human life at all stages. Using source analysis, the author presents how, over several centuries, volunteers inspired by the Gospel and philanthropy have cared for the lives and health of children and adults, rescued accident victims, accompanied the sick, supported the poor, and helped the elderly. The overview of charitable activities presented in the article demonstrates great commitment to saving and caring for human life, often with sacrifice and risk, as in times of past epidemics and the recent SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. In accordance with centuries-old tradition, many volunteers wished to remain anonymous witnesses and servants of the Gospel of life, carrying out their mission discreetly and quietly.