COMPAGNIA DEL DIVINO AMORE. — Although the C. of D. A. were generally confraternities, they must nevertheless be distinguished, since they played an important part in that broad movement of spirituality and charity which developed at the beginning of the sixteenth century and was given powerful impetus by the Dominicans, Franciscans, Canons Regular, and others. The first C. was established in Genoa in 1497 through the zeal of Ettore Vernazza and three other Genoese citizens, moved by s. Caterina Fieschi-Adorno; shortly before 1515, that of Rome was founded in Trastevere, followed soon afterward by those of Vicenza, Venice, Naples, and others, placed under the protection of s. Girolamo.
They were composed of laymen of every social condition, numbering between 40 and 60, and of a very small number of priests; they were promoted by persons of singular piety, such as s. Gaetano Thiene, Gian Pietro Carafa, and their Theatine companions, Bartolomeo Stella, Gian Matteo Giberti, and others.
“Whoever wishes to be a true brother of this company must be humble of heart, for all the customs and institutions of this fraternity derive from that humility; therefore let everyone direct all his mind and hope toward God and place in him all his affection, otherwise he would be a false brother.” This resolve to lead an intense spiritual life was fostered by special gatherings and prayers under the direction of the priests, by particular frequency in receiving the Sacraments, and by the hidden practice of simple, good works performed daily to relieve common miseries. But, in responding to the most urgent social needs, the C. undertook foundations for converts, orphans, girls in danger, and especially the incurable—that is, those afflicted with syphilis and other chronic diseases—establishing special hospitals for them. These more important institutions, however, were entrusted, particularly in Genoa, Rome, and Venice, to a “ridotto” or commission of laymen, in which the brothers of the C. provided special assistance. “And since this fraternity consists of laymen, who are sometimes frightened away from good works by what others say, each of the brothers shall be obliged to keep secret the brothers, the works, and the methods of the fraternity.” This precept was indeed observed with particular care. The golden age of the activity of these C. was the first half of the sixteenth century; in Rome the C. ceased to exist in 1527 with the terrible sack, but its spirit survived in the hospital of the Incurables at S. Giacomo in Augusta and in other charitable foundations.
The “Capitula fraternitatis Divini Amoris” of Genoa were published by P. Tacchi-Venturi, Storia della Compagnia di Gesù in Italia (2ª ed., II, Roma 1939, pp. 25-42); the “Statuto dello spedaletto del Ridotto degli Incurabili di Genova” was published by Cassiano da Langasco, Gli ospedali degli incurabili (Genova 1938, pp. 197-205), with the addition of documents; the “Capitoli della confraternita del D. A. di Roma” by A. Cistellini, Figure della Riforma pretridentina (Brescia 1948, pp. 273-77), followed by those of the D. A. of Brescia (pp. 277-82). In this work (pp. 282-88) there is also the “Elenco dei confratelli del D. A. di Roma”.