Saint Pedro Nolasco

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Saint Pedro Nolasco
Image:StPeterNolasco.jpg St. Peter Nolasco as found in the Generalate of the Mercedarian Order
Born	1189, Mas-des-Saintes-Puelles, France
Died	1256 AD
Venerated in	Roman Catholic Church
Feast
Image:Gloriole.svg Saints Portal

Peter Nolasco (1189 – 1256), Pierre Nolasque in French and Pedro Nolasco in Spanish, is a Catholic saint. Born at Mas-des-Saintes-Puelles, France, he became part of an army fighting in Spain and through that he was appointed tutor to the young king, James of Aragon. In 1218 he formed a congregation of men that became the Royal and Military Order of Our Lady of Mercy of the Redemption of the Captives with approval by Pope Gregory IX in 1230.

St. Peter Nolasco was the first Superior and also held the position of Ransomer, the order being concerned with the freeing of Christian prisoners of the Moors. Saint Raymond Nonnatus later succeeded to this position.

He died in 1256, seven years after having resigned as Superior. The order flourished in France, England, Germany, Portugal, and Spain and has had a long and proud history as part of the Catholic faith in many parts of the world.

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St. Pedro Nolasco has a vision of Jerusalem

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The Martyrdom of Mercedarian Friar, St. Serapion.