Religious objects - Paper - 1800-1850

Rare letter of assembly or spiritual brotherhood in Latin, issued by the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God (Fatebenefratelli), signed by the Superior General Fr. Benedictus Vernò (Benedetto Vernò).

Fr. Benedictus Vernò, General Minister of the Order of Saint John of God (also known as S. Ioannes de Deo), founder and father of the poor, was the 35th Superior General of the Fatebenefratelli Order. He led the order in three consecutive terms starting in 1837, and historical sources place him active in this role of general supervision until about 1850.

The rescript attests to the grant of participation in all the spiritual goods, masses, prayers, and charitable works of the Order in favor of the recipient and his family, both in life and in death.

The dry seal is present embossed at the bottom, bearing the image of the saint, with the autograph signatures of the General and the Secretary of the Order, Fr. Cajetanus Maffei 3us Cons: Sec: Genus, who held the office of Third Counselor and General Secretary of the Order precisely in those same years beside Vernò.

We are in the full period of the Restoration and the pontificate of Pope Gregory XVI (of whom Vernò was also esteemed as personal physician since 1841), an era in which the pre-printed paper forms with elegant wood engravings and ornamental borders were filled in by hand and personalized for the various communities or donors.

In this specific case the author of the “form” was the well-known engraver Hubert Vincent, of French origin, active in Rome around the turn of the XVII to XVIII centuries, specialized in prints of translation and portraits often associated with works of a sacred or scientifically medical character.

Total dimensions 565x440 mm
Dimensions at the press 345x300 mm