St Peter nolasco

THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY OF MERCY – September 24th – Lives of the Saints

ST. PETER Nolasco, THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY OF MERCY – September 24th – Lives of the Saints

ST. PETER, of the noble family of Nolasco, was born in Languedoc, in about 1189. At the age of twenty-five, he took a vow of chastity. He made over his vast estates to the Church. Sometime after, he conceived the idea of establishing an order for the redemption of captives.

The divine will was soon manifested. The Blessed Virgin appeared on the same night to Peter, to Raymund of Pennafort, his confessor, and to James, King of Aragon. She bade them prosecute without fear their holy designs.

Our lady of mercy

After great opposition, the Order was solemnly established. It was approved by Gregory IX., under the name of Our Lady of Mercy. By the grace of God, and under the protection of His Virgin Mother, the Order spread rapidly. It’s growth increased by the charity and piety of its members. They devoted themselves not only to collecting alms for the ransom of the Christians but even gave themselves up to voluntary slavery to aid the good work.

It is to return thanks to God and the Blessed Virgin that a feast was instituted which was observed in the Order of Mercy, then in Spain and France, and at last extended to the whole Church by Innocent XII., and the 24th September named as the day on which it is to be observed.

Reflection:

St. Peter Nolasco and his knights were laymen, not priests, and yet they considered the salvation of their neighbor entrusted to them. We can each of us by counsel, by prayer, but above all by holy example, assist the salvation of our brethren, and thus secure our own.

Author: Harry

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