A MARIAN DEVOTION BORN FROM COMPASSION
On Sept. 24, Catholics honour the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Mercy, recalling a centuries-old mission that brought hope and freedom to Christian captives. The Mercedarian Order and the Sisters of Mercy observe the feast, formerly known as Our Lady of Ransom. The commemoration honours the Blessed Mother as a compassionate intercessor for those facing suffering, oppression and spiritual struggles.
ST. PETER NOLASCO FOUNDS ORDER TO FREE CAPTIVES
The Marian tradition traces its origins to Barcelona, Spain, where St. Peter Nolasco founded the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy in 1218. According to Mercedarian tradition, the Mother of God appeared to the Spanish merchant and inspired him to establish a religious community dedicated to freeing Christians held captive. The friars collected ransom money and, when necessary, offered their own freedom in exchange for prisoners.
The religious community placed its mission under the protection of the Blessed Virgin, whom it regards as its spiritual foundress and a model of compassion and service. Alongside their vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, the friars take a fourth vow to dedicate themselves entirely to helping those whose faith is in danger.
The congregation initially observed the Marian feast before the tradition spread to Spain and France. In 1696, Pope Innocent XII extended the celebration to the wider Latin Church and designated Sept. 24 as its feast day. Although the general Roman calendar no longer includes the commemoration, the religious institute continues to mark it as a solemnity through prayer and liturgical celebrations.
FROM FREEING CAPTIVES TO RESTORING HOPE
Today, the Mercedarians carry forward their mission through prison ministry, education and pastoral care for marginalised communities. The occasion also holds special significance for the Sisters of Mercy, whose foundress, Catherine McAuley, opened her first House of Mercy in Dublin on Sept. 24, 1827. More than eight centuries after St. Peter Nolasco established the religious community, devotion to Our Lady of Mercy continues to inspire Catholics to transform compassion into hope, freedom, and dignity for those suffering.
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