Chapter Four the Order of Our Lady of Mercy in Northern Central America
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CHAPTER FOUR THE ORDER OF OUR LADY OF MERCY IN NORTHERN CENTRAL AMERICA Mercedarians were enmeshed in fron tier events in central and western Honduras which altered the fabric of Lenca Indian life through alm ost the entire colonial period. These missionaries were one of the most influential forces in western Honduras during this time. In order to understand how they themselves changed in response to the frontier, this chapter will (1) sketch the historical development of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy, (2) describe its role during initial encounters in Latin America, and (3) outline the foundations of the Mercedarian mission system in the ecclesiastical province of Guatemala. Early History 0/ the Order 0/ Our Lady 0/ Mercy St. Peter Nolasco (1189-1256) founded the Order known as Ordo Beatae Marire Virginis de Mercede Redemptionis Captivorum (Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary for the Ransom of Captives; O. de M.) on August 10, 1218, in Barcelona, Spain. The name Mercedarian is derived from the Spanish, merced, or mercy. Variations of the Order' s name appear in both Spanish and English including Orden de Nuestra Sefiora de Merced, Orden de Redenci6n de Cautivos, Order of Our Lady of Mercy for the Ransom of Captives, the Order of Captives, Mercedarians, and the Brothers ofRansom (or Mercy). It also is known as the Knights of Santa Eulalia in honor of the cathedral in which the first Mercedarians took their vows (lnstituto Hist6rico de La Orden de La Merced 1986:349). King James I of Arag6n took the new institution under his protection. The original mother house was an apartment in his royal palace in Barcelona. On January 17, 1235, Pope Gregory IX approved the Order with a buH permitting it to adopt the Rule of St. Augustine (Brodman 1986:19). The Rule of St. Augustine is a summary of principles which govern a Christian community living under monastic obedience. It was especiaHy weH suited to the apostolic life of preachers because, unlike the Benedictine Rule, it imposed no permanent attachment to the convent in which profession was made nor did it require enclosure or special duties, such as manual labor or an elaborate liturgy (Reeves 1930:46). The Mercedarian habit has always been white, in order to facilitate entrance into Moslem areas. At present the attire consists of a scapular, a white tunic fastened by a wide leather belt, and a cape with a cowl. Achain, reminiscent of the soldier' s sword that was formerly worn, hangs from the wide leather belt. On the breast of the cape is a shield, granted by King 48 CHAPIER FOUR James I, which bears four red stripes on a field of gold, a Maltese cross, and a royal crown (See Fig. 2). The white color is symbolic of its association with the purity of the Virgin Mary. Members are required to wear the habit of the Order as a sign of their consecration and poverty (Saint Raymond Nonnatus Novitiate 1987:99). FIGURE 2: Shield of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy Growth ofMercedarian Order The Order was one of many caritative associations that developed in Europe during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The raison d'etre of the Mercedarian Order was the ransom or rescue of captive Christians from Moslem territory in Africa, however, which gives it a unique characteristic compared to all other religious orders with the exception of the Order of Trinity (Trinitarians). The Mercedarian Order is distinguished by its fourth vow, "EI Voto de Sangre," in addition to the solemn vows of chastity, obedience and poverty. This fourth vow of redemption was fulfilled by paying ransom or by exchanging themselves for Christi an captives whose faith was in danger. If necessary, members remained within Moslem territory as hostages (Fortunato 1982: 18). The act of redemption required skill and courage. The Mercedarians particularly provided assistance to those without funds of their own. At its inception, the Order of our Lady of Mercy was a lay-military order (la Merced Orden Militar), occasionally engaging in armed conflict against the Moors in an effort to liberate captive Christians. By 1318 it had became strictly a c1erical order of mendicants (Gazulla 1934:8). Mendicant orders (from mendicare meaning to beg) are committed to the renunciation of all possessions, common as weIl as individual. Since the time of the Council of Trent in the mid-sixteenth century, however, Mercedarians and most other mendicant orders have been permitted to hold goods in common. According .