Establishment of the Scuola

Confraternities were social and religious organizations. In Venice, they were for non-noble laypeople and provided mutual aid. More religiously focused ones also were a spiritual community.

The Scuola Grande di San Rocco was first established as a flaggellants' association and acquired Saint Roch's body in 1485.

People came to be healed by the saint or to begin pilgrimages. Plague was a main concern for people in the sixteenth century, so much that alms left by visitors made this Scuola the most wealthy one in Venice.

Source: http://www.scuolagrandesanrocco.org/home-en/institution/