Charity (The Legionaries)

History

Almsgiving for the rescue of captives, the burial of the executed, the care of orphans and widows, and support for health institutions were, for several centuries, the core pillars of the program of the Brotherhood of the Lord of Charity. In fact, the early statutes of this hospitaller confraternity, founded in the 15th century, emphasize social work and place religious or devotional aspects in a completely marginal section.

Although there is no specific date for the founding of the brotherhood, various writings agree in pointing to the 15th century, more precisely the year 1469. However, successive crises led to its disappearance, lasting until the confraternity was re-established in 1939.

Temple

Church of San Francisco and San Eulogio. This temple belonged to the now-defunct Convent of San Pedro el Real, a foundation of Ferdinand III that remained under Franciscan control until the 19th-century confiscations.

The Images

Lord of Charity

The image of the Lord of Charity is an anonymous 16th-century sculpture that came to the brotherhood through a donation by Don Juan Draper in 1614, who had received it from the Confraternity of Saint Bernardino as payment of a debt.

It is a crucified Christ, dead on the Cross, nailed by three nails. His broad torso is slightly turned to the right, while his head also slumps to the right. His shoulders are at different heights, enhancing the body’s twisting posture. The figure twists upon itself, reminiscent of known anatomical techniques of the 1500s.

The shroud, notable for the quality of its folds, is knotted on the right side. His face, marked by serenity and calm after death, shows few signs of the suffering endured by the Lord. His closed eyelids hide prominent eyes. Fine, elegant eyebrows, a straight nose, and a half-open mouth give the figure great character and dignity appropriate to the moment. The beard is split and composed of thick locks.

To this day, the image has undergone several restorations, the most recent by Miguel Arjona Navarro. This restoration revealed that the shroud had previously been altered; however, Arjona discovered that beneath the 17th-century polychrome layer was the original 16th-century one, still well preserved. As a result, the current appearance is very similar to the original.

Virgin of the Lord of Charity

Co-patroness of the confraternity is the Virgin of the Lord of Charity, a work attributed to the circle of the Granada sculptor José de Mora, active during the 18th century.

It is a fully carved and polychromed image. Kneeling, she slightly inclines her head to the right, with hands clasped in prayer. She wears a white tunic with a widow’s veil, and a dark blue mantle covering almost her entire body.

Her face, of unique beauty, stands out for the pronounced arch of her eyebrows, reflecting the restrained sorrow of the Mater Dolorosa. With her gaze lowered, six tears fall from her sad, grieving eyes.

Nazarene Habit

Black tunic with red buttons, black face covering, and red cincture. Officers wear a black cape with red lining.

Notable Insignias

• Guide cross in silver by Manuel Aumente (1941), with silver lanterns by Díaz Roncero (1958).
• Silver-plated alpaca trumpets by Herrera (1956).
• Banner with the coat of arms embroidered in silk and gold by the Adoratrix Sisters (1944–45).
• Brotherhood banner in black velvet and red satin with gold, silver, silk, and tinsel embroidery by the Adoratrix Sisters, flanked by Nazarenes wearing dalmatics featuring their coats of arms.
• Standards of Henry IV, John II (1986), and Joanna I (1987) from the Pozo-Aguayo workshops.