Funeral Theatre

Ceremonies held by the Brotherhood of the Blessed Sacrament of Santa Justa towards members of the Cadaval House (1700-1749)

Abstract

The brotherhood of the Blessed Sacrament of the Lisbon parish of Santa Justa enjoyed the protection and alms of the dukes of Cadaval, of which D. Nuno, D. Luis and D. Jaime were their perpetual judges. This connection justified the solemn funerals promoted by the brothers of the Blessed Sacrament to members of that House, not only to those dukes but also to the duchesses D. Margarida de Lorena and D. Luisa. From the relations of these funeral ceremonies, handwritten and printed, and from the sermons, recited on these occasions, which were given to the print, we intend to analyze the preparations for the funeral process, the manner in which they took place and its complexity, the main topics covered in the sermons ordered and the importance that these solemnities and their later divulgation represented for the credit and public image of the brotherhood.