As a boy, in the early 13th Century, Peter Nolasque astonished his parents by coming home half-naked after giving away his clothes to the poor. Later, his compassion was stirred by the plight of his era's D.P.sthe thousands of religious prisoners languishing in dungeons and torture chambers. He founded the Mercedariansthe Order of Our Lady of Mercydedicated to the liberation of imprisoned Christians. Before his death in 1256, Nolasque had begged enough money to ransom 2,718 prisoners from the Moors. In 1317 his order vowed that whenever no ransom could be raised,...
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