Peter Nolasco

Saint Peter Nolasco was born in 1189, though tradition differs on whether his birthplace was in France or Spain. As a young man he was in Barcelona, where he took part in campaigns against the Moors in the Iberian Peninsula and was entrusted with the care of the young James I of Aragon as his tutor. After a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Montserrat, Peter’s heart turned decisively toward works of mercy, especially for Christians seized in raids and sold into slavery. Beginning in 1203 he devoted himself to ransoming captives, and in time he helped shape this charity into a lasting vocation. With the encouragement of Raymond of Penyafort and under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, he founded the Order of Our Lady of Mercy, later approved by Pope Gregory IX in 1235. The Mercedarians bound themselves by a special vow to give even their own freedom to redeem prisoners, sometimes offering themselves as hostages for others. Peter died in Barcelona in 1256, and the Church honors his feast on May 6. He is venerated as patron of Algar de Palància, El Viso del Alcor, and San Antonio Huista.