Glossary

A Christian-inspired volunteer association devoted to helping others (literally “Confraternity of Mercy”). The first was founded in Florence in 1244: today there are hundreds in Italy, united in the Confederazione Nazionale delle Misericordie d’Italia (National Confederation of the Misericordie of Italy). The Misericordia di Ariccia has been active since 1994. The full story is in the dedicated dossier.

The members of the Confraternita: the women and men who, by enrolling, become part of the Misericordia. No previous skills are needed: we learn everything together. How to join.

Not a judge! In the Misericordie the Magistrato is the governing body of the association, elected by the members’ assembly: it runs the Confraternita like a board of directors. Its current members are listed on the Who we are page.

The person who chairs the Magistrato and represents the Misericordia: the equivalent of the association’s president.

The priest who accompanies the spiritual life of the Confraternita.

The ancient motto with which the Misericordie greet and thank one another: the volunteer’s only “reward” is the knowledge of having done good.

The fourteen acts of charity — seven corporal (feeding the hungry, visiting the sick…) and seven spiritual — that for centuries have inspired the service of the Misericordie. The dedicated dossier.

The legal form of our association: a non-profit body that carries out activities of general interest relying mainly on volunteers.

An ETS (Ente del Terzo Settore) is a Third Sector organisation, the Italian legal category for non-profit bodies; the RUNTS (Registro Unico Nazionale del Terzo Settore) is the National Single Register of the Third Sector, the public national register in which these organisations are listed. The Misericordia di Ariccia has been in the RUNTS since 28 May 2023 (transparency).

A share (five per thousand) of IRPEF, Italian personal income tax, that every taxpayer can assign to a non-profit organisation with a simple signature on their tax return: it costs nothing extra. Our tax code is 90031910582 (how to do it).

An email with legal value, like a registered letter: it is the official channel for communicating with public bodies and institutions. Ours is on the Contact page.

The device that can restart a heart in cardiac arrest: you switch it on, attach the pads and it guides the rescuer with voice prompts. Anyone can use it, and using it early saves lives.

Basic Life Support and Defibrillation: cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques with the use of an AED. The P stands for Paediatric, the version for infants and children. These are the courses we run regularly (training).

The chest compressions (and, where appropriate, rescue breaths) that keep a person in cardiac arrest alive until help arrives. The essential steps are on the First aid page.

The Regional Health Emergency Agency of Lazio (Azienda Regionale Emergenza Sanitaria), which runs emergency medical services (the “118”). Our BLSD trainers are certified by ARES 118. Today, to call for help, you dial 112.

Health transport is by ambulance or equipped vehicle for medical visits, hospital discharges and transfers; social transport accompanies elderly or disabled people in their everyday lives (day centres, therapy). How to request them.

The Centro d’Ascolto welcomes people in difficulty and helps them find their way through practical problems (bills, paperwork, aid); the Banco Alimentare distributes food to families in need. Our social services.

The Universal Civil Service: a paid year serving the community for young people aged 18 to 28. Applications are submitted on the DOL platform (Domanda On Line, online application) of the Department for Youth Policies. All the details.