Order of the Holy Ghost
The Brothers of the Order of the Holy Spirit ( Holy Ghost Order ) was a Federation of Augustinian canons, who had especially the poor and the sick to the destination.
History
The Order had its origin in 1180 in southern France, he was out of a brotherhood that had committed to the health and care of the poor in Montpellier, emerged. In 1198 he received the papal confirmation, yes he enjoyed at all the special favor of Pope Innocent III. No later than 1204, the community received its rule oriented to Augustine, which was extended by special provisions. Many hospitals were founded in the 12th and 13th centuries.
After the death of the Order's founder Guy of Montpellier in 1208 was under the guardianship of Innocent III. the hospital ( Ospedale ) Santo Spirito in Rome Sassia in the main house of the Order. A institutionalization as a priest after the Order of St. Augustine's rule and a centralized organization, with the line through a Generalpräzeptor held almost 600 years. In the 15th century the Roman main house were under about 750 monasteries in Germany, France and Italy. Through the Reformation, the French Revolution and the secularization of 1803, many branches were lost to Pope Pius IX. the Order in 1847 picked up.
Because of the cross with two crossbars, which carried the Order members on their black Habiten, they were also called " Crusaders " known (as well as OSC and OCr ).
In Germany there are numerous Holy Spirit hospitals, some of which date back to the Brothers of the Holy Spirit.