The “Compromisso”
Five centuries after the publication of the "Compromisso" in print, the original text is now available in digital form.
About the “Compromisso”
The importance of this document lies not only in the fact that it sets out the statutes of the Misericórdia Confraternity — grounded essentially in the 14 Works of Mercy (seven corporal and seven spiritual) — but also in the dissemination of this foundational text, followed by all Misericórdia Confraternities, both in mainland Portugal and overseas, in the territories where the Portuguese were present.
Videos
The 1516 Compromisso: physical and typographical analysis
Guided tour of the exhibition "Um Compromisso para o Futuro"
Researchers' statements at the opening of the exhibition "Um Compromisso para o Futuro"
Explanation of the painting "Virgen De La Misericordia", attributed to the "Maestro De Teruel"
Exhibition "O Compromisso" – Guest photographers
Opening of the exhibition "Um Compromisso para o Futuro"
Making of the exhibition "Um Compromisso para o Futuro"
The continuing relevance of the Works of Mercy
The birth of the Misericórdias
Lisbon in the 16th century
The expansion of the Misericórdias
Misericórdia and Health
Misericórdia and Justice
"Did you know…" – The "Compromisso" of Misericórdia
The history of the "Compromisso"
Two editions of the "Compromisso" of Misericórdia are known, both dated 20 December 1516. Research by Anne Anninger — promptly endorsed and extended by Francisco Guimarães Cunha Leão — has shown beyond doubt that one of these editions (the one bearing on the title page a frame with plant and animal motifs), although repeating the text of the first — including the colophon —, is a counterfeit of the original print. In the original, the decoration of the title-page frame consists of malacological elements (shells?) on a starry sky against a negative background.
By "counterfeit" is meant any edition printed at a later date than the original edition, but with the intent to be passed off as authentic. The motives behind this fraudulent act vary: they may be commercial (to obtain easy profit) or ideological in nature, with motivations that cannot always be determined with precision.
Timeline
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Inspired by Queen D. Leonor, the Confraternity of the Invocation of Our Lady of Mercy was established at the Cathedral of Lisbon.
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Queen D. Leonor founds Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, an institution to care for the poor and marginalised of the city.
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Manuscript Compromisso of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, preserved in its Historical Archive.
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Year of the first printing of the Compromisso of the Misericórdia Confraternity.
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Illuminated Compromisso of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, preserved in its Historical Archive.
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Completion of the works for the new headquarters of Misericórdia de Lisboa, commissioned by D. Manuel I.
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Original Compromisso
Approval of the first Compromisso of Misericórdia de Lisboa, the founding document setting out the principles and works of mercy.
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Edition of the Compromisso of Misericórdia.
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Edition of the Compromisso of Misericórdia.
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Printing of the reworked text of the Compromisso of Misericórdia.
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Edition of the Compromisso of Misericórdia.
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Edition of the Compromisso of Misericórdia.
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Edition of the Compromisso of Misericórdia.
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Edition of the Compromisso of Misericórdia.
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Edition of the Compromisso of Misericórdia.
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Edition of the Compromisso of Misericórdia.
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Edition of the Compromisso of Misericórdia.
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The Great Earthquake
1 November. Earthquake. Destruction of the building and archive (cartório) of Misericórdia de Lisboa. The institution reorganises itself and leads the relief efforts for the population.
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Edition of the Compromisso of Misericórdia.
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Handover to Misericórdia of the former Casa Professa of the Jesuits, at São Roque.
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Edition of the Compromisso of Misericórdia.
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Appointment of an Administrative Commission authorised to carry out the reforms deemed most urgent.
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Suppression of the religious orders and transfer of welfare functions to Santa Casa, which begins to manage hospitals and educational establishments.
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Santa Casa's Administrative Board becomes appointed exclusively by the Government.
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National Lottery
Santa Casa is granted the exclusive concession to run the National Lottery in Portugal, a key source of funding for the social mission.
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Creation of the Centro de Medicina de Reabilitação de Alcoitão, a national benchmark in physical rehabilitation and the social integration of people with disabilities.
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Jogos Santa Casa
Launch of EuroMillions and expansion of the sports betting network, strengthening the institution's financial capacity to support social causes.
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Decree-Law No. 322/91, approving the Statutes of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa.
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Decree-Law 469/99, approving amendments to the Statutes of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa.
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Approval of the new Statutes of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa, modernising the organisational structure and strengthening the social intervention mission.
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Decree-Law No. 235/2008, sets out further amendments to the Statutes of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa.
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Casa Ásia
Inauguration of Casa Ásia — Coleção Francisco Capelo, a space dedicated to Asian art and culture, establishing Santa Casa as a benchmark cultural venue in Lisbon.
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Decree-Law No. 67/2015 and Decree-Law No. 68/2015 amend the Statutes, setting out new rules in the area of Social Games.
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526 years in the service of Lisbon
Santa Casa celebrates 526 years of uninterrupted history in the service of the city of Lisbon and its most vulnerable populations.
Exhibition: "Um Compromisso para o Futuro"
On show at the Temporary Exhibitions Gallery of Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa between May and September 2017, the exhibition — curated by Henrique Leitão — brought together the first printed edition of the Compromisso of the Misericórdia Confraternity, two 15th-century paintings never before exhibited in Portugal, and contemporary photographs on the Works of Mercy.
The show marked the 5th centenary of the first printed edition of the Compromisso of the Misericórdia Confraternity, a document first published in 1516, with later editions, regulating the organisation, activities and functions of the Misericórdia Confraternity — and which today would be referred to as "statutes". Building on this anniversary, the exhibition highlighted the continuing relevance of the text's message — a text that has, over the centuries, been the cornerstone of the Misericórdias' work, setting out and inviting the practice of the 14 works of mercy, especially with regard to those most in need.
Contacts
Largo Trindade Coelho
1200-470 Lisbon
+351 213 235 738 *
arquivo.historico@scml.pt
* Cost of a call to the national landline network
Vítor Ribeiro Reading Room
Weekdays: 9:30 – 17:00
Documents must be requested up to 30 minutes before closing.
