The Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy, also known as the Mercedarians, is a Catholic religious order founded in 1218 by Saint Peter Nolasco in Barcelona, Spain. Its primary mission is to rescue Christians who have been captured and enslaved by non-Christians, particularly during the Middle Ages. The order emphasizes the importance of mercy and compassion in its work. Members of the Mercedarian order take a special vow to offer themselves as hostages if necessary to secure the freedom of captives. The order has a rich history of charitable works and continues to focus on social justice and the care of the marginalized in contemporary society.