Mercedarians profess four vows: obedience, chastity, and poverty, plus the fourth of ransom. The willingness to give oneself as ransom for a hostage. Through the intercession of Our Lady of Mercy, the order was founded to intervene in the release of Christian prisoners held by Muslim forces. Mercedarians vowed they were willing to sacrifice their freedom in order to allow a Christian to return to their family and home.

Our Lady of Ransom

Our Lady of Mercy