confraternity (Latin confraternitas, company, association)

These were religious associations in the Catholic church in the Middle Ages and early Modern Age, which were usually connected to certain monastic orders. The members of these could be priests and secular persons as well, and their aim was to deepen their religious feelings and provide help for people in need. The first track of confraternities are known from the 4th century, they appeared in Hungary at the end of the 11th century. In the late Middle Ages confraternities formed by craftsmen of the same profession can be considered as the forerunners of guilds. They received their names from a saint or holy objects. In Hungary the so-called adventurous companies were quite popular, and they performed a mass at the beginning of each month for the salvation of their dead companions (their name comes from this: lat. Kalendae = the first day of the month). Confraternities flourished in Hungary in the 14-15th centuries, then in the 18th century, and certain groups still exist today.

MA