"Founded for Redemption. Living for Mercy."
History of the Mercedarian Order
The Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, known as the Mercedarian Order, was founded in the year 1218 in Barcelona, Spain, at a time of intense religious conflict between Christian and Muslim territories. During this era, thousands of Christians were taken as prisoners or enslaved, their faith endangered by forced conversions and captivity.
Amid this suffering, a man of deep faith and compassion, St. Peter Nolasco, received a divine call. Inspired by a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary, later venerated as Our Lady of Mercy, Peter understood that God was asking him to do something radical — to dedicate his life to the redemption of Christian captives, even at the cost of his own life.
With the support of King James I of Aragon and St. Raymond of Penyafort, Peter Nolasco founded a new religious Order with a mission of mercy and liberation. In 1235, Pope Gregory IX formally approved the Order, giving it canonical recognition.
Charism
“To redeem the captive. To free the soul.”
‘Freed to Free’
At the very core of the Mercedarian vocation is one word: Redemption.
The Mercedarian Friars are called to imitate Christ the Redeemer, who came to “set the captives free” (Luke 4:18). We continue this mission by dedicating our lives to those in danger of losing their faith due to any form of captivity—whether physical, spiritual, moral, or emotional.