In the same period in many parts of Italy also laudesi (praising) confraternities, which focused their religious life on praying and singing, appeared.

11) Also celebrating this feast were two local confraternities, the Compagnia della Purificazione e di San Zanobi, and the laudesi Compagnia di San Zanobi -- the latter playing an important role in preparing for the celebrations that took place on this holy day.

Giles-Gerard Meersseman's study of the popular diffusion of the thirteenth-century order of penance established the foundation for a rich and still growing literature on lay confraternities, disciplinati (penitential) as well as Marian, laudesi (celebratory) and charitable -- and now, thanks to the recent study by Konrad Eisenbichler, youthful as well as adult -- whose numbers grew steadily from the thirteenth century onwards.