Confessor; one of the founders of the Mercedarians; born Mas-des-Saintes-Puelles, France, c.1189;died Barcelona, Spain, c1256 Dividing his wealth among the poor, he took a vow of chastity. He went to Spain and there ransomed the Christians enslaved by the Moors, and in 1218 decided to found a religious order for the redemption of Christian captives, called Mercedarians; it was approved, 1230. Canonized, 1628. Feast, Roman Calendar, January 31,.