Mercedarian Priest (14th Century)
His life
+ Little information about the life of Blessed Arnoldo has come down to us. At some point in his youth, he became a he entered the Order of Our Lady of Mercy (the Mercedarians) in Spain.
+ In 1382, in keeping with the order’s original charism, Arnoldo ransomed 48 Christians enslaved by Moors in Almeria, Spain.
+ In 1386, he was sent to ransom Christians in Tunis (in modern Tunisia). He suffered greatly for his efforts and was often abused and imprisoned as he made his way across north Africa.
+ Blessed Arnoldo spent the final years of his life in the Mercedarian community of Santa Maria dei Miracoli in Montflorie, Spain.
Spiritual bonus
The Order of Our Lady of Mercy (commonly known as the Mercedarians) was founded in 1218 by Saint Peter Nolasco. The members of the Order seek to imitate Jesus who offered his life for the redemption of sinners.
Quote
“There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”—John 15:13
Prayer
O God, who have taught your Church to keep all the heavenly commandments by love of you as God and love of neighbor; grant that, practicing the works of charity after the example of blessed Arnoldo, we may be worthy to be numbered among the blessed in your Kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(from The Roman Missal: Common of Holy Men and Women—For Those Who Practiced Works of Mercy)
Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.
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