To enter the Church of St James, one goes through a gate with strange symbols: an hourglass, a skull with two crossed bones and a cross. These are the symbols of the Arciconfraternita dell'Orazione e Morte, which has always had its headquarters here. The Venerable Arciconfraternita dell'Orazione e Morte was founded in Sassari in the second half of the 16th century. Those entitled to be confraternity members are only noblemen by birth or by diploma and noblewomen by birth or by marriage. Currently, the Archconfraternity's purpose is to promote piety and provide comfort to the sick and needy.