CrucisSt. Peter Nolasco
St. Peter Nolasco was born about 1189, most likely in Languedoc in southern France or in Barcelona, and settled in Catalonia, where the sight of Christians languishing in Muslim captivity in Moorish Spain and North Africa moved him to devote his wealth and life to their rescue. Ransoming captives with his own fortune, he conceived a lasting means to continue the work.
In 1218, with the counsel of St. Raymond of Peñafort and the support of King James I of Aragon, he founded the Order of Our Lady of Mercy, the Mercedarians, whose members took a distinctive fourth vow: to give themselves as hostages, if need be, to free imprisoned Christians in danger of losing their faith. Under Peter's leadership the order redeemed thousands from slavery. He died at Barcelona about 1256. Canonized in the seventeenth century, he is honored as a patron of captives and of those held in bondage, and is celebrated on 28 January.
Selected quotes
“To lay down your liberty for another is to walk the very road of the Redeemer.”
“Give your freedom, if need be, that another may be set free; love knows no greater gift.”
“Ransom the captive, for in freeing him you free Christ from his chains.”