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Saint Peter Nolasco
Image: Unknown friar · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Saint Peter Nolasco

A merchant from Languedoc who founded an order to ransom Christian captives

Rank
Saint
Kind
Founder, Religious
Life
1189 – 1256
Era
13th century
Feast
6 May
Countries
Spain, France
FranceSpain

Life story

Peter Nolasco was born around 1189, by tradition in Languedoc in the south of France; some sources give an earlier date, around 1182. He lived in Barcelona, grew prosperous through trade, and is recorded as a man concerned about the fate of Christians held captive by Muslims in the wars around the Mediterranean.

In 1218 he founded, at Barcelona, the Order of Our Lady of Mercy, called the Mercedarians, with the help of Raymond of Penyafort, who had been his confessor, and the backing of King James I of Aragon. Besides the usual vows, the friars took a special vow to stay behind as hostages if needed to free captives. Peter served as first superior, and his friars raised funds and travelled to the Valencia region and North Africa to ransom prisoners. In 1235 Pope Gregory IX approved the order.

Peter died around 1256, most likely at Barcelona, though the exact date is uncertain; one tradition says 25 December. In 1628 Pope Urban VIII declared him a saint. The Mercedarians remain active today in many countries, especially Spain and Latin America, and keep his feast on 6 May.

The Mercedarians went on to ransom thousands of captives over the following centuries, and the order took a prominent place in Spain and, later, in the Americas. In Barcelona the Basilica of La Mercè is dedicated to Our Lady of Mercy, patron of the city, in memory of the order's foundation there.

Works and witness

  • Founded the Order of Our Lady of Mercy (Mercedarians) at Barcelona in 1218
  • Worked with Raymond of Penyafort and King James I of Aragon
  • The order took a vow to remain as hostages to free captives
  • Order approved by Pope Gregory IX in 1235
  • Canonised by Pope Urban VIII in 1628

Saints from the same country

Saint Dominic, Saint Ignatius of Loyola, Saint Teresa of Ávila, Saint Francis Xavier

References

  • Martyrologium Romanum
  • Encyclopaedia Britannica – St. Peter Nolasco
  • Order of Our Lady of Mercy (Mercedarians) – historical profile

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.