MADRID, Spain.
On May 9, the “Hermandad del Refugio” (Brotherhood of Shelter) of which St. Pedro Poveda was a member, celebrated a Mass of Thanksgiving at the Royal Church of Saint Anthony of the Germans to mark the tenth anniversary of the canonization of the founder of the Teresian Association (TA).
"The bond of friendship between the TA and the Hermandad del Refugio has made it customary to remember Saint Pedro Poveda" said Fr. Ángel de Mier, the main celebrant of the Eucharist.
Marisa Rodríguez, director of the Secretariat Pedro Poveda, recalled that St. Pedro Poveda began his relationship with the Hermandad del Refugio in May 1930 and continued his relationship with it until his death in 1936. Father Poveda participated in the activities of the Brotherhood, to which he devoted a considerable part of his time". His commitment to the needy had a long past. It started in Guadix at the turn of the century, in 1902, in the caves of the hills surrounding the city. Poveda gave the best of his youth in favor of that village, where he began his work of evangelization and social transformation through education and culture, through formation and knowledge to grow as persons, to effectively contribute to the eradication of poverty in all its forms”.
"Here in Madrid he also integrated his priestly activity as royal chaplain with service for those in need, and within the Hermandad del Refugio (Brotherhood of Shelter), he fulfilled this calling", added Marisa Rodríguez."One can easily imagine the priest Poveda walking the streets around this temple, in a hurry, with an urge to do good, to proclaim the Word, to be among the people, to be salt of the earth", she said.
The Eucharist was prepared by the Secretariat Pedro Poveda, and the music, by the choir of the Teresian Association, Poveda Coral, was led by Pilar Arrate. After the Mass, in the crypt where the statue of St. Pedro Poveda is located, there were songs and prayers in his memory and for his intercession.
The Church, a baroque jewel in Madrid
The Royal Church of Saint Anthony of the Germans is located on the corner that forms the “Corredera Baja de San Pablo” and Puebla street of Madrid. Its austere facade contrasts with the splendid architecture and decor inside. It dates back to 1607. In the place where the temple is now, there was a hospital founded by Philip II for the Portuguese and a chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua.
At first, the Church was known by the name of St. Anthony of the Portuguese. After the separation of Spain and Portugal in 1640 it was called the German Hospital. This name was given by the second wife of Philip IV, Mariana of Austria, in 1689. From that time the beneficiaries of the hospital were Germans visiting or living in Madrid.
History of the Hermandad del Refugio
On the website of the Hermandad del Refugio there is the history of this charity association created in 1615: In seventeenth century Spain, as in other European countries, and as a result of wars, pestilence and bad years, poverty reached frightening levels. Philip II had established his court in Madrid in 1561, then a modest village (4,060 inhabitants, according to the 1530 census). But when Felipe III brought the capital back in 1606 (which had been moved to Valladolid in 1503), the number of inhabitants exceeded 100,000. Such a rapid and disorderly growth caused a huge urban crowding. Transit through the streets was difficult and extremely dangerous at night because immorality and homelessness were rampant. Also, the absence of proper medical care filled the houses and the streets with unattended sick.
Round of the Bread and Egg, by Luis TristánThis was the atmosphere that existed in Madrid in 1615 when several gentlemen met regularly for prayer with P. Bernardino de Antequera, a Jesuit. At a meeting held on Sunday March 17th at the novitiate of the Society of Jesus, it was agreed that in order to give relief to the sick, homeless, and poor there was a need to found a Hospital for the convalescent and a Brotherhood. In the first bylaws of the Brotherhood they established that they had to bring the sick and poor, men and women, that were found on the streets or homes to the hospitals, accompanying them and paying for their expenses so that no one would die without the sacraments. To achieve this aim a Nightwatch was instituted which would run the streets of Madrid at night. It was formed by three brothers, one priest, who was accompanied by a servant carrying a lantern and a basket with some medicines and a provision of bread, cake and eggs. Since then it is known as the "Round bread and egg". In making these rounds, abandoned girls were found; they were taken to the shelter created by the Brotherhood, which would allow a stay of only three days. To alleviate the situation, on November 30, 1651 a school was opened under the name of Immaculate Conception School.
For more inforamtion, visit the Web of the Hermandad del Refugio.
Info.IT
Translated by Guillermina Damas