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  • glossary
Le Ballet de l'Acier

Confraternity

Confraternities are Catholic lay religious associations formed for the purpose of performing acts of charity or promoting piety among the faithful. Confraternities possess rights and duties regulated by ecclesiastical law, and their members often wear a peculiar costume and recite the Office in common.

Lay associations of the faithful are documented as early as the seventh and eighth centuires, but the first true confraternity was founded by Bishop Odo in Paris in 1208. They are an important part of many communities.