Saint Pedro Nolasco
Encyclopedia
Saint Peter Nolasco Pere Nolasc in Catalan
, Pierre Nolasque in French and Pedro Nolasco in Spanish
, is a Catholic saint, born at Mas-des-Saintes-Puelles
, Languedoc
, today's France
, although some historians claim he was born in Barcelona
(see Encyclopaedia Britannica).
It is clear is that he was in Barcelona when he was a teenager, became part of an army fighting the Moors in the Iberian peninsula, and was appointed tutor to the young king, James I 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.
. Saint Raymond Nonnatus later succeeded to this position.
. His festival was appointed by Pope Clement VIII
but Clement VIII died in 1605 so this cannot be correct as he was followed as Pope by Urban VIII who was Pope from 1623 to 1644 - to be kept on January 31, which was later moved to 28 January, when the former date was assigned to the liturgical celebration of Saint John Bosco
(see General Roman Calendar as in 1954). He is inscribed in the Roman Martyrology
, the official list of saints, on 25 December, the day of his death according to tradition.
Catalan language
Catalan is a Romance language, the national and only official language of Andorra and a co-official language in the Spanish autonomous communities of Catalonia, the Balearic Islands and Valencian Community, where it is known as Valencian , as well as in the city of Alghero, on the Italian island...
, Pierre Nolasque in French and Pedro Nolasco in Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
, is a Catholic saint, born at Mas-des-Saintes-Puelles
Mas-Saintes-Puelles
Mas-Saintes-Puelles is a commune in the Aude department in southern France.-Population:-References:*...
, Languedoc
Languedoc
Languedoc is a former province of France, now continued in the modern-day régions of Languedoc-Roussillon and Midi-Pyrénées in the south of France, and whose capital city was Toulouse, now in Midi-Pyrénées. It had an area of approximately 42,700 km² .-Geographical Extent:The traditional...
, today's France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, although some historians claim he was born in Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
(see Encyclopaedia Britannica).
It is clear is that he was in Barcelona when he was a teenager, became part of an army fighting the Moors in the Iberian peninsula, and was appointed tutor to the young king, James I of Aragon
James I of Aragon
James I the Conqueror was the King of Aragon, Count of Barcelona, and Lord of Montpellier from 1213 to 1276...
. 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
Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy
The Royal, Celestial and Military Order of Our Lady of Mercy and the Redemption of the Captives also known as Our Lady of Ransom is a Roman Catholic religious order established in 1218 by St...
with approval by Pope Gregory IX in 1230.
Ransomer
St. Peter Nolasco was the first Superior and also held the position of Ransomer, the order being concerned with the freeing of Christian prisoners from the MoorsMoors
The description Moors has referred to several historic and modern populations of the Maghreb region who are predominately of Berber and Arab descent. They came to conquer and rule the Iberian Peninsula for nearly 800 years. At that time they were Muslim, although earlier the people had followed...
. Saint Raymond Nonnatus later succeeded to this position.
Death
He died in 1256 in Barcelona, seven years after having resigned as Superior. The order flourished in France, England, Germany, Portugal, and Spain. According to tradition he died on 25 December, but recent studies of the Royal Archives in Barcelona have indicated that he died on 6 May.Veneration
St. Peter Nolasco was canonized by Pope Urban VIIIPope Urban VIII
Pope Urban VIII , born Maffeo Barberini, was pope from 1623 to 1644. He was the last pope to expand the papal territory by force of arms, and was a prominent patron of the arts and reformer of Church missions...
. His festival was appointed by Pope Clement VIII
Pope Clement VIII
Pope Clement VIII , born Ippolito Aldobrandini, was Pope from 30 January 1592 to 3 March 1605.-Cardinal:...
but Clement VIII died in 1605 so this cannot be correct as he was followed as Pope by Urban VIII who was Pope from 1623 to 1644 - to be kept on January 31, which was later moved to 28 January, when the former date was assigned to the liturgical celebration of Saint John Bosco
John Bosco
John Bosco , was an Italian Catholic priest, educator and writer of the 19th century, who put into practice the convictions of his religion, dedicating his life to the betterment and education of street children, juvenile delinquents, and other disadvantaged youth and employing teaching methods...
(see General Roman Calendar as in 1954). He is inscribed in the Roman Martyrology
Martyrology
A martyrology is a catalogue or list of martyrs , arranged in the calendar order of their anniversaries or feasts. Local martyrologies record exclusively the custom of a particular Church. Local lists were enriched by names borrowed from neighbouring churches...
, the official list of saints, on 25 December, the day of his death according to tradition.