St. Peter Nolasco
Languedocian-Catalan founder (c. 1189-1256), Provençal layman who at Barcelona with St. Raymond of Peñafort and King James I of Aragon founded the Order of Our Lady of Mercy (Mercedarians, 1218) for the ransom of Christian captives from Muslim North Africa, with a fourth vow of substituting oneself in pledge for a captive. Equipollent canonization 1628 by Urban VIII.
Life & Times
Born: c. 1189 · Died: 1256 · From: France / Spain.
Patronage
St. Peter Nolasco is invoked as the patron of captives, mercedarians, prisoners. Those in these callings or circumstances often turn to this saint in prayer.
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About Catholic Saints
Catholic saints, including St. Peter Nolasco, are Christians whom the Catholic Church has formally recognized as having lived lifes of heroic holiness and who now dwell with God in heaven, offering an example of faith for those still on their earthly journey. Catholics don't worship saints, but ask them to pray to God with us and for us — much as one might ask a trusted friend to pray for them — trusting that those closest to God can join their voices to ours before Him. Discover more saints in the Catholic Shop Saints section.