Our Lady of Mercy, patroness of Peru
The devotion to Our Lady of Mercy in Peru dates back to the time of the foundation of Lima. The Mercy Friars came to Perú together with the colonizers and built their first church by 1535. This was the first parish of Lima until the building of the major church in 1540. The Mercy Friars not only evangelized the region, but were also the managers of the development of the city.
Around 1218, Saint Peter Nolasco and Jaime I de Aragón y Catalonia had the same vision of Our Lady who asked them to found a religious congregation devoted to rescuing the Christian captives in the hands of the Muslims. This Order managed to free thousands of Christian prisoners. Later on, it dedicated itself to missions, teaching, and pastoral ministry.
Your turn:
- Have you ever felt you did not have enough freedom?
- What is freedom for you?
