Order of Our Lady of Mercy for the Ransom of Capti
Order of Our Lady of Mercy for the Ransom of Capti
A congregation founded at Barcelona in 1218 by Saint Peter Nolasco, especially devoted to the ransom of captives from the Moors, and following the rule drawn up by Saint Augustine. The development of the order was immediate and widespread throughout France, England, Germany, Portugal , and Spain. As the Moors were driven back, new convents of Mercy were established at Montpellier, Perpignan, Toulouse, and Vich. Columbus brought some members of the Order of Mercy with him to America, and they founded houses in Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and Ecuador, and took an active part in the conversion of the Indians. Toward the end of the 18th century the Mercedarians erected houses for the training of missionaries, and in the beginning of the 19th century they undertook elementary teaching in their convents. The mother-house is in Rome. Notable Mercedarians include
Blessed Margarita de Maturana
Blessed Mariana of Jesus
Blessed Mary de Cerevellon
Blessed Peter Armengol
Saint Peter Nolasco
Blessed Peter Paschal
Saint Raymond Nonnatus
New Catholic Dictionary