Our Lady of Ransom

In Spain in the year 1218 A.D., the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared in separate visions to St. Peter Nolasco, St. Raymond of Penafort, and King James I of Aragon, asking them to establish an Order to liberate Christians who had been kidnapped by the Moors, transported to African prisons, and cruelly tortured to deny their faith in Christ. 

The members of this Order were to do this through prayer, raising alms for ransom, and taking a vow to offer themselves, if needed, in exchange for the enslaved Christians. Under Mary’s special protection, the order grew rapidly and those ransomed were numbered in the tens of thousands. This is why Our Lady of Ransom is often depicted protecting her children underneath her mantle. 

Today this religious community still exist, known as The Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy (or the Mercedarians), imploring Our Lady's mercy to ransom souls back for Christ and who offer their lives in union with this intention. 

May Our Lady of Ransom capture the hearts of all Christians and bring them home to the heart of God. 

O God, Who for the ransoming from slavery of the Christians held captive by pagans
wast pleased, through the most glorious mother of Thy Son to enrich Thy Church
by a new order: grant, we beseech Thee, that she, whom we piously venerate as the founder of so great a work, may, through her merits and prayers, deliver us from all our sins
and from the captivity of the devil. Through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen
- Collect for the Mass of Our Lady of Ransom -