Our Lady's Coat of Arms
The swashbuckling history of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary
for the Ransom of Captives
by Barbara E. Stevens
The Mother of God graces America's Hispanic Southwest in a
multitude of glorious guises. While Our Lady of Guadalupe is
certainly <la favorita>, countless other images color Marian
devotions in southern Colorado and northern New Mexico, and their
heritage stems from medieval Spain.
But among all the Old World Madonnas revered, only one counts
among her accessories a royal coat of arms. <La Merced>, or "Our
Lady of Mercy," emerges from the storybook era of Marco Polo and
Don Quixote, and her 13th century history rivals Hollywood for
intrigue, romance and adventure.
In the 1200s, the Moors were very efficiently rampaging through
Spain. As they advanced, the Spanish were simultaneously
penetrating Arab territories, bent upon converting "infidels" to
Christianity and defending Crusader strongholds in the Holy Land.
At home and abroad, then, from the early 13th century until near
the close of the 18th century, the Spanish faced capture and
imprisonment. If they refused to renounce their Christianity, they
were almost certainly marked for torture and death.
While some Spanish religious orders of a military nature (peculiar
to that time and place) were dedicated to nursing and giving
comfort to the captives, a totally unique and dramatic approach to
their relief was effected by the Virgin Mary.
In a vision to a young nobleman, Mary urged the formation of a
military fraternity that would rescue prisoners by means of
ransom.
Military orders
St. Peter Nolasco (c. 1189-1258) was born in France, educated in
Spain and, through the fortunes of war, was eventually appointed
tutor to King James of Aragon. From childhood, he had exhibited a
unique spirituality and disregard for the luxurious environment to
which he was born.
He habitually gave lavishly to the poor, and fashioned for himself
a very austere and prayerful lifestyle. His vision of the Blessed
Mother in 1218 not only catapulted him into the unlikely role of
sword-bearing leader, but it would also touch the lives and times
of future centuries of Spanish-speaking peoples- wherever they
were destined to plant and preserve the faith.
After securing the required sanction of King James of Aragon,
Nolasco initiated the military Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary
for the Ransom of Captives (OdeM.) in 1218.
The order originally attracted young noblemen whose heritage
equipped them to practically address the matter of ransom. They
were known as "knights," and it was only later that clergy were
represented in the ranks.
Although he was the first commander general of the order, Nolasco
was not himself a priest, nor did he ever become one. It was 100
years until a papal order required that at least the leader of the
community must have received the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
The founder required of himself and his followers a special vow in
addition to the usual three-to devote their "whole substance and
very liberty to the ransoming of slaves," even to the point of
acting as hostages in order to free others.
According to records, the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the
Ransom of Captives accomplished approximately 70,000 rescues-some
2,700 during the founder's lifetime.
The order elected a habit of white, signifying innocence. Some
histories claim that Mary provided such guidance during her
appearance to Nolasco. An enthusiastic King James authorized the
members to wear- emblazoned on their breasts and long scapulars-
his own distinguished arms -of Aragon.
The Maltese Cross is its most striking component-a unique
cruciform that commemorates Malta's steadfast defense against the
Turks.
Papally confirmed in 1235, the fraternity became popularly known
as the Order of Our Lady of Mercy, or the Mercedarians. It rapidly
spread throughout Western Europe, and some of its friars
eventually sailed with Columbus to America.
Those who later accompanied the conquistadors' relentless march
through the New World and New Spain were extremely vigorous in the
conversion of indigenous peoples.
Almost 300 monasteries and convents were rapidly established in
Latin America, and all required appropriate decoration. <La
Merced> therefore became a very popular subject of Spanish
colonial paintings.
Our Lady of Mercy is frequently portrayed in a queenly stance,
extending a generous mantle to either side. Huddled beneath its
protection is a group of the faithful.
Shown here is a less common <La Merced.> The Madonna format is
embellished with a base of supplicants-captives begging Mary's
intercession. This glowing rendition, by Manuel de Samaniego
(1767- 1824), can be admired today in a historic Mercedarian
church in Quito, Ecuador.
The ethereal luminance of the background smacks of the influence
of the Spanish painter Bartolome Esteban Murillo (1617-82), whose
popular Marian prints were provided as models to Indian and
mestizo artists.
The bold colors and lavish embellishment with gilt brocade are
characteristic of the paintings accomplished in the great colonial
art centers of Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia.
However varied her portrayals may be, <La Merced> is immediately
recognizable. Without exception, on her breast and often repeated
on the scapular extended from her hand, is the distinctive royal
signature of the Mercedarian order: the splendid arms of the King
of Aragon.
What an incredible journey in time and place from medieval Spain
and Africa to the missions of the New World and New Spain, and
hence to the American Southwest, where Our Lady for the Ransom of
Captives continues to respond to prayers murmured in "the language
of the angels."
Modernized mission
The Mercedarians remain an active order, principally in Spain and
Latin America. Lacking a military mission, they have long since
turned to education and social causes.
Only a bit of chain attached to the belt remains as a reminder of
its ancient accommodation of swords, but the order persists in its
original concern for captives: they are often prison chaplains.
Nolasco died in 1258, after a lifetime dedicated not only to the
rescue of Spanish captives, but to the simultaneous and massive
conversion of Moors to Christianity. Countless miracles are
attributed to his relics, and he was canonized in 1628.
St. Peter Nolasco, who obviously relished a military ambiance,
must be delighted with the reputation and honors that his Lady of
Mercy has acquired -especially in Peru. In 1615, she was credited
with saving Lima from an invasion by Dutch pirate ships.
Not surprisingly, she became patron of the country. General San
Martin, Latin America's great revolutionary leader and liberator
of Peru, promoted her to Marshal of the Peruvian Army in 1823.
Among Lima's magnificent Spanish colonial churches is La Merced, a
Baroque extravagance fitted with exquisite silver altars,
bejewelled gold appointments and wall and ceiling carvings of
lacelike delicacy.
In 1921, its ancient Spanish statue of Our Lady of Mercy was
formally crowned in an elaborate ceremony. On Sept. 24, the
anniversary of that coronation, the president of Peru and top
officials of all the armed forces stand tall before Our Lady for
the Ransom of Captives.
The dignitaries wear full military regalia, which in Latin
American nations are extraordinarily "spiffy." It isn't difficult
to imagine the figure of St. Nolasco there among them-sword at his
side, proudly displaying on his white habit the ancient arms of
the king of Aragon, respectfully waiting for his Lady to address
her commander general.
Stevens writes from Colorado Springs, Colo.
This article was taken from the December 15, 1996 issue of Our
Sunday Visitor. To subscribe write Our Sunday Visitor, Inc, 200
Noll Plaza, Huntington, In 46750.
Our Sunday Visitor is published weekly at a subscription rate of
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Copyright (c) 1996 EWTN Online Services.
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