Misericordia Penela

The Misericórdia de Penela appeared on April 25, 1559, when King Sebastian of Portugal created in Penela the brotherhood of Misericórdia. The royal act resulted from a request made by judges, councillors, prosecutors and good men of the municipality, who justified their request with the existence of a large number of poor and imprisoned people who needed assistance. It was thus indispensable to help the most needy with alms and other works of mercy.
 
In 1810 the Penelense territory was then invaded by Napoleon's troops and the documentary collection, existing at the time, in the hostel disappeared altogether. The controversial years of the French invasions brought serious consequences to the Holy Houses of the whole country. Many of their benefactors died and others were deprived of the means to fulfil their financial obligations. As a result, the resources of Penela's Misericordia have diminished dramatically, aggravated by the difficulty of electing the members of the Bureau and keeping them in office for consecutive years.
 
Between 1723 and 1816, the Holy House played an important role in teaching because, at the request of the Administrator of the municipality, the creation of primary education was required. Thus, Misericórdia immediately built an elementary school, as well as offering didactic material, indispensable for its functioning. However, the costs inherent to this new response aggravated the economic situation of the institution. However, the new mission of Mercy also met the spirit of the works of mercy: "To teach the ignorant.
 
Subsequently, and after the French invasions, over the years, great architectural changes were carried out, which conditioned the historical elements of Mercy for years. Later several testamentary donations were made to the Holy House of Mercy in Penela. These donations show the good will of Penelenses to distribute their goods to the sick and poor.
 
However, the mission of the institution was not only to feed those who were hungry and to reduce the number of poor people in the municipality. Misericórdia also played a role in agglutinating dialogue with the population and raising awareness among the inhabitants, maintaining a strong relationship between them.
 
From 1902, the management of Misericórdia de Penela received another performance, due to the donation made by D. Albino Cordeiro, of all his goods.
 
In 1904, only eight elements took the oath to exercise the post of messengers and the new provider, Dr. Albino Maria Cordeiro, brought several changes.
 
After the implementation of the Republic in 1910, the Provisional Government took concrete measures to reduce the "interference" of the church in national life. In this line it published a decree law, achieving the separation of the church from the state. This law led to the alteration of the Mercy statutes.
 
The 25th of April 1974 brought a certain instability to the management of the institution. In 1979 the Administrative Bureau proposed the creation of a Day Centre for the Elderly. The proposal was unanimously approved by the chairmen, but only after 3 years the means for the realization of this project were gathered.
 
From twenty five years ago and to support the elderly and children of Penela County, with an aging and isolated population, the Residential Home for the Elderly (1991), the building of continued care and the physiotherapy unit, as well as a crèche was built. This structure supports around two hundred and sixty people.
 
The restoration of the Misericórdia de Penela Church (1999) and the publication of the book "Misericórdia de Penela - servir e amar", by Mário Nunes, are important steps in the defence of the built and immaterial heritage of an Institution with 452 years of existence.
 
The institution also has relevant activity in the cultural area, namely in the defense of religious traditions, with the participation of its fellowship. In fact, the ongoing revitalization of the Fellowship is an important milestone in the face of the disappearance of traditional religious fellowships.
 
In 1991, the Old Age Home was inaugurated. The Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Penela thus took another important step in the practice of Social Action with the admission of the first users.
 
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
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