Don't let the Bastards Grind You Down

Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes

Patroness of Prisoners and Captives.

Our Lady of Mercy or Our Lady of Ransom

Invoked for the protection of those captives by ICE and for the "ransom" of souls from the bondage of sin.

The Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy – Mercedarians - was established to ransom Christians held captive during the Crusades and the Moorish occupation of Spain.

Los Mercedarios – The Mercedarians were founded in 1218 in Barcelona, Spain, after a vision of the Virgin Mary shared by St. Peter Nolasco, St. Raymond of Penyafort, and King James I of Aragon. Inspired by this vision, Members of the order pledged a Fourth Vow to act as hostages and even exchange their own lives for prisoners' freedom.

Still Today, as Our Mother of Freedom and Liberation she is the official patroness of prisons and inmates in several countries, including Spain, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic. In many regions, Her feast day is marked by visits to prisons, where religious services are held and, in some historical traditions, groups of prisoners were granted pardon in her honor.

By Luis Jose Rueda Aparicio - Archbishop of Bogota, Colombia- September 2025

Our Lady of Mercedes is often shown in the Mercedarians' White Habit – Symbolizing Purity. Holding Broken Chains or Shackles, symbolizing the breaking of spiritual and physical bonds. Mercedarian Shield: An emblem of protection and faith worn on her breast or depicted nearby. Bags of Coins: Sometimes shown carrying money, representing funds raised for ransoming captives. Also often depicted in the Madonna della Misericordia - Virgin of Mercy- pose, sometimes sheltering captives under her cloak.

Besides prisoners, She is also the patron saint of the Dominican Republic, Barcelona, and various towns in Spain and Latin America.  Dia De Las Mercedes or the Feast of Our Lady of Mercy is observed annually on September 24 as an Official Holyday in Barcelona and Dominican Republic. The feast day is a time to thank Her Grace for the Mercy shown, particularly in rescuing those in dire circumstances.

Novena Prayer to Our Lady of Mercedes

NUESTRA SENORA DE LAS MERCEDES DEL SANTO CERRO, REPUBLICA DOMINICANA

O Virgin of Mercedes, source of all goodness,

glory of the helpless,

messenger of freedom and mercy,

refuge of those suffering

aid of the captive,

shelter of the oppressed,

redeemer of injustice

intercede for us all. 

Oh Mary, mother of mercy,

do not leave us handed over to our weak forces

intercede for us.

Redemptive Mother

allows forgiveness to be the way to live in peace.

Virgin of Mercedes, pray for us.

Mother of kindness, accompany the imprisoned

and those who carry invisible prisons in their souls.