Pocket guide for the “benefit of all those in agony.” 1 copy worldwide.

[Confraternity of the Agonized]. Regole de i Fratelli, e Sorelle della pietosiss. Confraternità delli Agonizanti, Canonicamente eretta, e fondata nell’Altare di S. Carlo, Posto nella Chiesa di S. Isaia di Bologna… In Bologna, per l’Herede del Benacci, 1640. 12mo [13.3 x 7.4 cm], [6] ff. Bound in contemporary cartone, which is well preserved. Internally very clean.
 
 
Very rare (1 copy worldwide: Biblioteca comunale dell’Archiginnasio, Bologna) first edition of this pocket guide for the use of the “brother and sisters” of the Confraternità delli Agonizzanti at the church of Sant’Isaia in Bologna. 
 
The confraternity was established for the “benefit of all those in agony, who are and will be so until the Great Universal Judgment, so that in that dangerous, important, and extreme moment of need (the moment on which depends the eternity of all true & perpetual good, or of inexplicable & eternal evils), they may obtain from God the possible & necessary aid & protection,” i.e., the extremely ill or criminals condemned to death.
 
The booklet reminds confraternity member of prescribed prayers to be said throughout the week (including a meditation on the Five Wounds of Christ, and prayers to be said at the Altar of S. Carlo in the church of Sant’Isaia) and on important occasions during the liturgical year. Noted is a special indulgence for visiting the Confraternity’s “image of the Crucifix.” 
 
The booklet closes with a prayer for “all those in agony” and a list of indulgences granted specifically to the Confraternità delli Agonizzanti by Urban VIII. 
 
 
OCLC, KVK and OPAC/SBN/ICCU locate only 1 copy of this work: Biblioteca comunale dell’Archiginnasio (Bologna). A second edition (In Bologna: per Giacomo Monti, 1656) is located at the Biblioteca Casanatense (Rome).
 
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