Laura Dierksmeier Charity for and by the Poor sku-731575092

Charity for and by the Poor is a hardcover book by Laura Dierksmeier in Latin American History Books, SKU sku-731575092. It examines the reformed Franciscans' evangelization of Mexico from 1527 to 1700 and the local indigenous confraternities and care institutions that grew from it. Spanish missionaries also used schools and choirs to promote conversion to Catholicism.

Dierksmeier argues that confraternities were the main welfare providers for indigenous people in the early colonial period and precursors of modern social security. Guided by Franciscan teachings on mercy and charity, they provided hospital and orphan care, released debt prisoners and lent money to the poor.

They helped protect people during epidemics, bring indigenous classes of the former Aztec Empire into an emerging social order, and preserve indigenous self-governance within religious life. Poor people participated voluntarily in providing care as well as receiving it.

Dierksmeier studies the groups within their religious framework, drawing on record books, lawsuits, wills, missionary correspondence and parish records held in Mexico, Spain, the United States and Germany.