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A confraternity is a “religious association of lay people dedicated to pious practices or charitable works, often under the direction of the clergy or with their spiritual assistance”. This definition is taken from an Italian Renaissance dictionary. Bonifacio boasts five confraternities, the two oldest dating back to the 13th century: Sainte-Croix and Saint-Jean-Baptiste, both heirs to the “disciplinati” of Genoa. The most recent is Saint Erasmus, founded in 1893.

A mystical heritage

Bonifacio’s confraternities have a long history dating back to the 13th century, a period marked by the rise of trades and guilds in Europe. These confraternities were religious associations made up of lay people, often grouped around a patron saint or a particular religious objective. Their aim was to promote the Catholic faith, assist the needy and provide moral and material support to their members.

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    Five brotherhoods

    Over the centuries, Bonifacio’s brotherhoods have evolved and adapted to social and religious changes. Today, there are still five brotherhoods in the Cité des Falaises, the highest number in Corsica. Among them, the two oldest, the Confraternities of Holy Cross and St. John the Baptist, have their roots in the “disciplinati” of Genoa, flagellant brotherhoods that were flourishing in northern Italy at the end of the 13th century.

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      Values and traditions

      Confraternities in Bonifacio thus seem to have evolved beyond their initial religious role to become more symbols of conviviality and the building of human relationships. Nevertheless, these brotherhoods continue to play a significant role in Bonifacio’s religious and cultural life, preserving and passing on the values and customs they have cherished for centuries.

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        Religious heritage