COMPANIONSHIP OF THE DIVINE LOVE. - Although the Compagnie del Divino Amore were generally confraternities, they must nonetheless be kept distinct because they played an important part in that broad movement of spirituality and charitable work which developed at the beginning of the 16th century, and to which the Dominicans, the Franciscans, the Canons Regular, etc., gave a strong impulse. The first Compagnia was established in Genoa through the zeal of Ettore Vernazza and three other Genoese citizens, moved by St. Catherine Fieschi-Adorno, in 1497; a little before 1515 that of Rome was instituted in Trastevere, and those of Vicenza, Venice, Naples and still others followed at a short distance, placed under the protection of St. Jerome.
They were composed of laymen of every condition, numbering from 40 to 60, and of a very small number of priests, and they were promoted by persons of singular piety, such as St. Cajetan of Thiene, Gian Pietro Carafa and their companions, Bartolomeo Stella, Gian Matteo Giberti and still others.
«Chi vole essere vero fratello di questa compagnia sia umile di core, alla quale umiltà tranno tutti li costumi et institutioni di questa fraternità; et però ognun drizzi tutta la mente et speranza sua in Dio et metta in lui ogni suo affetto, altrimenti saria falso fratello». This purpose of an intense spiritual life was promoted by particular gatherings and prayers under the direction of the priests, by a particular frequency of the Sacraments, by the hidden practice of small and daily good works for the relief of common miseries. But, meeting the most urgent social miseries, the Compagnie undertook foundations for converted women, orphans, girls in danger, and in particular for the incurables, that is, those infected with syphilis and other chronic diseases, establishing special hospitals for them. But these more important institutions were entrusted, particularly in Genoa, Rome and Venice, to a «ridotto» or committee of laymen in which the brothers of the Compagnia had special assistance. «Et per essere questa fraternità di laici, li quali alle volte si spaventano dalle bone opere per il dir d'altri, sia obbligato ognuno degli fratelli tenere secreto li fratelli, l'opere et modi della fraternità». This precept was in fact observed with special care. The golden period of the activity of these Compagnie was the first half of the 16th century; in Rome the Compagnia ceased in 1527 with the terrible sack, but its spirit survived in the hospital of the Incurabili 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 (2nd ed., II, Rome 1939, pp. 25-42); the «Statuto dello spedaletto del Ridotto degli Incurabili di Genova» was published by Cassiano da Langasco, Gli ospedali degli incurabili (Genoa 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), which are 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».