Merchants Of Freedom
The Mercedarian Friars

"The Son of Man did not come to be a slave master, but a slave who will give his life to rescue many people." (Mark 10:45) The ever new word of God gives us this glimpse of Jesus as our Redeemer, and with it the challenge for his disciples to imitate their Lord. Saint Peter Nolasco heard and acted upon these words as his gift to the Father of all mercy and redeeming love.

Peter Nolasco, the future founder of the Mercedarian Order, was born at the end of the twelfth century near Barcelona, Spain. A merchant by profession, his frequent business trips put him in direct contact with the reality of Christian captivity by the Moslems. This rich and daring merchant who traveled sea and land, crossing the kingdoms of the Moslems as well as those of Christians, could not remain untouched by the sad spectacle of pain and chains which his eyes saw. He decided to change the social motivation of his enterprises: no longer was he interested in easy profits, but in his captive brothers and sisters who, wounded in their human dignity, wept the loss of their freedom. Thus for the liberation of captives, he committed himself seriously and risked everything -- even to the point of giving away his fortune.

Today, the Mercedarian Friars are united to their father, Peter, through their commitment to Christians who are victims of new forms of captivity and oppression. The oppressed find themselves exposed to the abandonment of the practices of Christian life, and to the loss of their faith. In order to aid such suffering, the Mercedarian Friar is prepared through his fourth vow to surrender his life (should it be necessary) in imitation of the Redeemer. Today, the mission of the Mercedarian friars is found in 20 nations with 160 houses. Specific locations include the Americas, Southern Europe, India, Angola and Zaire. Our ministry of redemption, imbued and qualified by our fourth vow, is a multi-faceted jewel, encompassing service to parishes, prisons and schools, education, mission evangelization, and retreat work. In our own diocese, the friars minister from two communities in Saint Petersburg: St. Peter Nolasco Residence and Transfiguration Parish.

The friars (including both brothers and priests) intend to create a community that seeks and loves God above all things. The community is made outwardly visible by putting their entire effort into listening to the voice of the Spirit that is manifested through the Rule of Saint Augustine, their Constitution, and a fraternal life centered around Mary, the Mother Mercy. By forming a community of brothers joyfully living together in oneness of mind and heart, the Mercedarian Friars are able to dedicate their energies, human gifts and entire beings to ministering to today's Christian captives in need of liberation.

The friars believe that we can neither be just Christian if we pass by a brother or sister with indifference -- especially the brother or sister wounded in his/her human dignity and enchained by poverty, underdevelopment, or lack of freedom. In the name of Jesus, our one true freedom, we must stop to give the oppressed our helping hand -- perhaps even our lives. 

For further information about our Mercedarian life and ministry of redemption, please contact:

Fr. Wayne Genereux,  O.de.M.,
Mercedarian Vocations Director
Monastery of Our Lady of Mercy
6398 Drexel Road
Philadelphia, PA 19151-2596
Telephone:    1-877-OL-MERCY (1-877-655-3729)
email:    VocMercy@aol.com

Peter Nolasco

Mary
 Mother of Mercy