St John Nepomuk Confraternity was a devotional society established in 1770 with the permission of Pope Clement XIV. It continued intermittently until 1914. Its structure and functioning was regulated by statute, which also specified a range of indulgences available to members. The brethren's commitments were of a religious, social and moral nature. The confraternity was headed by a promotor, a function which belonged to the local parish priest. In his absence, this supervisory role fell to his vicar (deputy promotor). The promotor exercised a number of rights and duties with regard to the confraternity and its members. He shared the responsibility for the proper functioning of the society with some brethren elected for that purpose. Members of the confraternity met regularly at their masses and other religious services. New members were admitted during a religious ceremony in accordance with a special rite. By far the most admissions took place on 16 May, the feast of St John Nepomuk. The Confraternity recruited its members from all ocial classes in towns and villages throughout the diocese. In the parish of Krościenko Wyżne the membership roll included both men and women, the latter holding a huge majority.