Our Lady of Mercy
Tradition has it that around 1218 A.D., St. Peter Nolasco and James I, King of Aragon and Catalonia, experienced separately a vision of the Most Holy Virgin who asked them to establish a religious Order dedicated to rescuing the many Christian captives held by the Moslems. This Order of Our Lady of Mercy, approved as a military order in 1235 A.D. by Pope Gregory IX, was able to liberate thousands of Christian prisoners,
and later became dedicated to teaching and social work.
The image of the Virgin of Mercy is very popular in Peru. It is venerated in the Basilica of Mercy in the capital of Peru. It was enthroned at the
beginning of the XVII century and has been considered the Patroness of the capital. In 1730 A.D., Our Lady of Mercy was proclaimed "Patroness of the Peruvian Lands" and in 1823 A.D. "Patroness of the Armies of the Republic". On the first centennial of the nation's independence, the image was solemnly crowned and received the title of "Grand Marshall of Peru", on September 24, 1921, Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, which has since then been declared a national holiday. Every year, on that Feast, the army renders homage to her high military rank.
As the Mother of Jesus, our Merciful Redeemer, Our Lady is rightly named Mother of Mercy.
The origin of this feast day dates back to the Middle Ages and the foundation of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy after Our Blessed Mother appeared to a young nobleman in France. Responding to her appeal for compassion and mercy for the men, women and children who were taken as prisoners
from Europe to Africaas slaves by the Moors, Saint Peter Nolasco set out to redeem these people. He and his companions dedicated their lives and possessions to gathering alms to free them from their cruel captors. These slaves would otherwise have been forced to deny their faith. Protecting the faith of the captives who were persecuted because of their Christianity was the main objective of the heroic priests of Our Lady of Mercy
who even offered and gave their own lives as ransom when there was not enough money.
As their numbers grew, some of the priests extended their works of Mercy to include missionary work. Traveling with Columbuson his expedition, one of their numbers made devotion to Our Lady of Mercy the first Marian devotion in America! Their work now has been expanded to those exposed to the dangers of denying their faith, the social, political and psychological forms of captivity in today’s world. The mission is thus multiple: missions, parishes, education, prison and hospital work.
and later became dedicated to teaching and social work.
The image of the Virgin of Mercy is very popular in Peru. It is venerated in the Basilica of Mercy in the capital of Peru. It was enthroned at the
beginning of the XVII century and has been considered the Patroness of the capital. In 1730 A.D., Our Lady of Mercy was proclaimed "Patroness of the Peruvian Lands" and in 1823 A.D. "Patroness of the Armies of the Republic". On the first centennial of the nation's independence, the image was solemnly crowned and received the title of "Grand Marshall of Peru", on September 24, 1921, Feast of Our Lady of Mercy, which has since then been declared a national holiday. Every year, on that Feast, the army renders homage to her high military rank.
As the Mother of Jesus, our Merciful Redeemer, Our Lady is rightly named Mother of Mercy.
The origin of this feast day dates back to the Middle Ages and the foundation of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy after Our Blessed Mother appeared to a young nobleman in France. Responding to her appeal for compassion and mercy for the men, women and children who were taken as prisoners
from Europe to Africaas slaves by the Moors, Saint Peter Nolasco set out to redeem these people. He and his companions dedicated their lives and possessions to gathering alms to free them from their cruel captors. These slaves would otherwise have been forced to deny their faith. Protecting the faith of the captives who were persecuted because of their Christianity was the main objective of the heroic priests of Our Lady of Mercy
who even offered and gave their own lives as ransom when there was not enough money.
As their numbers grew, some of the priests extended their works of Mercy to include missionary work. Traveling with Columbuson his expedition, one of their numbers made devotion to Our Lady of Mercy the first Marian devotion in America! Their work now has been expanded to those exposed to the dangers of denying their faith, the social, political and psychological forms of captivity in today’s world. The mission is thus multiple: missions, parishes, education, prison and hospital work.