The first was to enable the poor to better their lot, and the second was to absolve the rich from the obligation of alms giving.
By apparently giving alms we are being big-hearted, but we are also doing a good bit of business, thank you very much.
Are we doing anything to deprive the poor of alms?
From the convent chronicle we understand that at least until the first half of the seventeenth century families regularly offered alms for the convent church, and many other gifts.
I am 80 years old and am stranded here, like the broken keel of a ship with empty sails, and am forced to live off the alms of my son.
The bestowing of alms and the kind visits of ministers and missionaries to those in the second and third categories are viewed as having limited benefit in relieving distress.
Priests, reeves and hundred-men would see to it that the alms-giving and fasting was carried out, and would take an oath to that effect on the relics.
The ceremony thus became a component of a solemn feast in the church, including orchestral music, fireworks and alms to the poor, all paid for by the girl's family.
