In the early 13th century, Our Lady appeared to Saint Peter Nolasco with an urgent request. Christians were being captured and sold into slavery by the Moors. As a merchant, Saint Peter had already encountered this reality and had spent his entire fortune paying for their release. Now penniless, Our Lady urged him to find like minded men to join him in rescuing her children. These men founded the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, often called the Mercedarians.