Confraternities and archconfraternities
Confraternity of the Most Blessed Sacrament
Archconfraternity of the Blessed Sacrament · Confraternity of the Most Blessed Sacrament and of Christian Doctrine · Compagnia del Corpo di Cristo · Confraternity of the Body of Christ
Paul III erected it at the Minerva
Founded 1539There is no single worldwide office. The confraternity is erected parish by parish or diocese by diocese with the local bishop's consent, aggregated historically to the Roman archconfraternity. The St Peter's archconfraternity is attached to the Chapter of St Peter and still administers the Church of Saints Michael and Magnus in Rome with the Dutch community there.
The long way round
In person, with a priest. Not published centrally; set locally, and often free with voluntary dues.
There is no online form for this one, and that is often a good sign: someone enrolls you by hand. There is no general enrollment page anywhere. You have to find a parish or diocese with a canonically erected Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament and be received by its director, or ask your pastor to seek the bishop's consent to erect one.
There is no general enrollment page anywhere. You have to find a parish or diocese with a canonically erected Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament and be received by its director, or ask your pastor to seek the bishop's consent to erect one.
This is the oldest family of Catholic societies devoted to the Eucharist. Members honour Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament: they take part in adoration, accompany the Blessed Sacrament in processions, often help maintain the altar and the sanctuary lamp, and pray for one another living and dead. Because older Church law expected every parish to have one, it survives today mostly as a parish group rather than as a national body you can sign up to from home. Someone joins because they want their Eucharistic devotion to be a committed, named membership in their own parish rather than a private practice.
Where it comes from
1539 at Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome, approved by Pope Paul III and later raised to an archconfraternity. A second and still active archconfraternity was founded in 1540 at St Peter's Basilica on the initiative of the Chapter of St Peter.
What you promise
Set locally by the statutes of each erected confraternity, since there is no common worldwide rule. Typically: take part in the confraternity's monthly adoration and Mass, accompany Eucharistic processions, pray for living and deceased members, and have your name entered in the parish register at a reception ceremony.
What the Church attaches
Indulgences granted over the centuries to the Roman archconfraternity and shared by aggregated local confraternities, plus the prayers and Masses offered for members of your own confraternity. Because the grants are local and have been revised repeatedly, no single current list can be quoted accurately.
Enrollment checked 2026-10-22. Details change without notice and parish practice varies. Confirm before relying on this sheet.