The works of mercy for the 21st century

In 1998, on the eve of the new millennium, the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa launched the book The Works of Mercy for the 21st Century. The occasion was also one of celebration, as that year marked the 500th anniversary of the founding of the Misericórdias.

The publication that is now being reissued offers a reflective and critical look, through the hands of various renowned personalities in Portuguese society, on the fourteen works of mercy – both spiritual and corporal – that are at the core of the Santa Casa and have guided its actions for over five centuries.

Despite nearly two decades having passed, the words written in 1998 remain relevant, and it is imperative to recall them, viewing the fourteen works of the Commitment of Mercy in light of the 21st century. For this reason, and because the world has changed over these years, we bring the book to meet new audiences in eBook format. Thus, we make use of the available digital platforms to make it accessible to more readers and to reaffirm the foundational values of the institution for today, while reconciling the modern with the multi-century experience of the Santa Casa.

Authors: Alberto Melo, Alfredo Bruto da Costa, A. Laborinho Lúcio, Armando Gomes Leandro, Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues, Ernesto Fernandes, Fernando Micael Pereira, Frei Bento Domingues, Isabel Guerra, João Resina Rodrigues, João Seabra Diniz, Luís Moita, Maria Barroso Soares, Maria de Belém Roseira, Maria José Nogueira Pinto, Fr. Vítor Melícias. Coordination by M.ª Gabriela Barbosa Colen, M.ª Teresa Salema Cordeiro; Direction of Coordination of Social Action and Equipment.

Year of publication: 2016
ISBN: 9729731918