The article investigates the life of the Observant Franciscan preacher Michele d'Acqui, particularly focusing on his initiatives to promote the foundation of the Monte di Pietà in Verona, in 1490. The article analyses and integrally publishes an incunabula that was edited in Verona in concomitance with those events. This document highlights the spiritual message that was connected with the presentation of the Monte di Pietà as well as the communicative strategies adopted by skilful preachers such as Fra Michele. He organised a planned and civic form of charity to support the Monte di Pietà, which was a central institution in the reform of the society promoted by the Observance. As the statutes of Scola del Monte della Pietà clearly show, within this reform social and religious dimensions were deeply intertwined: the economic support to the Monte went hand in hand with the dissemination of a model of religious life for the laity.
preaching; Monte di Pietà; confraternity; civic charity
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