Obregonian Brothers facts for kids
The Obregonians were a special group of Roman Catholic men. They were also known as the Minim Congregation of Poor Brothers Infirmarians. Their main job was to take care of sick people. They followed the rules of a religious group called the Third Order Regular of St. Francis.
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A Helping Hand: The Obregonians
The Obregonians were started by a man named Bernardino de Obregón. He was born on May 5, 1540, near Burgos, Spain. He passed away on August 6, 1599, in Madrid.
Bernardino came from a noble family. He used to be an officer in the Spanish army. But he decided to leave the army. Instead, he wanted to help sick people in hospitals in Madrid.
Bernardino's Dedication
Bernardino spent 20 years working in different hospitals. He even became the director of the city's main hospital. During this time, he learned a lot about how to best care for sick people. He then shared his knowledge with others who joined him.
Starting a New Group
In 1567, more people joined Bernardino in his hospital work. With permission from the Pope's representative in Madrid, they started a new group. This group added a special promise to their usual religious vows. They promised to offer free help to anyone who needed it in hospitals.
The Obregonians did not build their own hospitals. Instead, they worked in hospitals that already existed. Their group grew and spread across Spain and its territories. They also went to places like Belgium and the Indies.
Their Main Home
The main home for the Obregonians was at the Convent of Our Lady of Victory. This building was on the Puerta del Sol in Madrid. It was right next to the Church of Our Lady of Good Success.
This place had been a hospital for the Royal Court since 1529. Emperor Charles V decided it should stay in one place. King Philip II later put the Brothers in charge of this hospital. Both the convent and the church were taken down in the 1800s. This happened when the plaza was being updated.
Helping Kings and Orphans
In 1592, Bernardino was asked to visit Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. There, he opened a home for boys who had no parents. When he returned to Spain, he helped King Philip during his last illness in 1598.
Special Recognition
In 1609, Pope Paul V gave the Obregonians permission to wear a black cross. They wore it on the left side of their chest. This cross was placed over their grey religious clothing. It helped people tell them apart from other similar groups.
In 1617, an Obregonian Brother named Andrés Fernández wrote an important book. It was the first guide for nurses, written by nurses. The book was called Training Nurses and a Method for applying Remedies to all Forms of Illness.
The End of the Obregonians
The Obregonians disappeared completely after the French occupation of Spain. Today, streets in Madrid and Barcelona are still named after Bernardino de Obregón.
See also
In Spanish: Enfermeros obregones para niños
