CAPG's Blog 

Saint Peter Nolasco

"WORKS OF MERCY: It may be said of charity, what the apostle St. James has said of faith: " Charity without good works is a vain thing;" for thus have the saints apprehended it: with them to love and to act was one and the same thing. It was a thought springing wholly out of charity which inspired Peter Nolasco to found the order of Mercy for the redemption of captives. A vast number of Christians captured by the infidels were sighing in chains far from their native land, subject to every indignity and exposed to the risk of losing the faith. "Let us ransom them," exclaimed Peter Nolasco, a French gentleman attached to the court of the king of Aragon. Thirteen pious companions joined him, and the order was founded on the 10th of August, 1218. The number of unfortunate captives redeemed by them almost surpasses belief. St. Peter Nolasco was rewarded for so much zeal by encouragements from on high: the Blessed Virgin appeared to him, and angels bore him up in their hands. He died in 1280.

MORAL REFLECTION.-We cannot do better than bear in mind the words of the apostle St. James: "If a brother or sister be naked and want daily food, and one of you say to them, Go in peace, be you warmed and filled, yet give them not those things that are necessary for the body, what shall it avail ?"-(Jas. ii. 15.)" Half and Hour with the Saints by Fr. Lecanu

"A FAITHFUL servant of God, eminent for his singular charity to his neighbour, and founder of the religious order for the redemption of captives. Pray for this spirit of charity for the assistance and relief of your neighbour. You meet daily many objects that deserve your compassion, and demand your help. Consider seriously the necessities of your neighbours, both spiritual and temporal; if you have charity, you will study their relief, either by yourself, or others. You have it often in your power to do service to your neighbour. If you omit it, because of the trouble, pains, or uneasiness it must give you, it is not charity, but self-love that commands your heart.

Examine what your calling is, and see whether you live by oppressing your neighbour. There are too many professions exposed to this, of men who set up for helping others, and take advantage of their misfortunes. Their only concern is gain; and they value not how much their neighbour suffers, so that they can be gainers by it. This is quite opposite to the charity which we honour this day in this holy man. He gave away what he had for the relief of his neighbour in misery: these, under the colour of relieving, add to their neighbour's sufferings, that they themselves may be enriched by them. If his was the method of charity, theirs is contrary to it; and if his was the way of the Gospel and salvation, how can theirs be so? Let then all those seriously examine their proceedings by this test, who by lending money, receiving goods, giving advice, managing their business, or in any other way, pretend to assist their neighbour in his distress. For if there be oppression in the help which they give, their assistance is cruelty; and without restitution, how can they have a share in the mercy of God?