The history of mercy of the Santas Casas
 
The word "mercy" has its origin in Latin and means in a strict sense "to give your heart to another" ("misere" and "cordis"). In a broader sense it means "to give to those in need". The Santas Casas de Misericórdia work with the objective of fulfilling this principle, receiving those most in need.
 
The first Holy House in the world was created on August 15, 1498, in Lisbon, by Queen Leonor de Lencastre, wife of King John II, giving rise to the "Confraternity of Our Lady of Mercy" in a period of history remembered for tragedies, wars, and the great navigations. In this scenario, the environment of the Santas Casas was marked by the revival of feelings such as fraternity and solidarity. Proof of this is that, many times, the Brotherhood did not need a physical institution: it went to meet the sick and disabled, wherever they were. Thus, it reached Asia, Africa, made its way through Europe, and, of course, the Americas. In that same year, ten branches were founded, eight in Portugal and two on Madeira Island.
 
In Brazil, the first santas casas found soon after its discovery, preceding the legal organization of the Brazilian State itself, created through the Imperial Constitution of March 25, 1824. By this date had already been founded as Santas Casas de Santos (1543); Salvador (1549); Rio de Janeiro (1567); Vitória (1818); São Paulo (1599); João Pessoa (1602); Belém (1619); São Luís (1657), Campos (1792) and Porto alegre (1803) among others. From these derived other similar entities, such as the Portuguese Beneficences, Philanthropic Hospitals of the Jewish, Japanese, and Sírio-Libanesa communities, or even operated by the Catholic, Protestant, Evangelical, and Spiritist churches, among others, totaling, to the present day, about 2,100 health establishments acquired throughout the Brazilian territory.
 
Once created, it started to dedicate itself to the care of the sick and, in some cases, in more than one direction, that is, in the support to the old age, to the child, to leprosy patients, and to education among others. It is worth mentioning that, in most continents and countries where they were founded, as
 
Misericórdias anticipated the state activities of social and health assistance. In Brazil, and in some other countries, they were also responsible for the creation of some of the first courses of Medicine and Nursing, as is the case of relatives founded in Bahia, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Vitória, and Porto Alegre. Currently, the Santas Casas are responsible for the largest number of medical residencies, opting for the training of medical professionals.
 
In Brazil, the performance of these institutions presented two phases: the first comprehended the period from the middle of the 18th century until 1837, of a charitable nature; the second, the period from 1838 to 1940, with philanthropic concerns.
 
Philanthropy is distinguished from charity by its objectives. In order to make help useful to those who have experienced it, philanthropists believe it is necessary to change their nature, to give more advice than goods. It is necessary not only to stay people, but to give them guidance that will promote the rebuilding of the family and, in the spring, of society. Therefore, in assisting the rejected and marginalized, there is a concern for the fate of these individuals, in making them useful to society. Thus, charity gives way to philanthropy.
 
Since their origin, until the beginning of their relations with the government (especially in the 1960s), the Santas Casas were created and maintained by donations from the communities, experiencing golden periods in which they built their patrimonies, a large part of which are listed as historical heritage.