The doctrine of the communion of saints is, to me, one of the most appealing aspects of our Catholic faith. The lives of the saints themselves are perhaps the most beautiful works of art in the Church’s treasury. Is not the life of a Francis or a Mother Teresa “something beautiful for God?” But the notion that we are all, in a very real sense, one body in Christ offers much comfort and consolation. To think that the good done by the great servants of God can benefit me supernaturally! What a deal! Moreover, like the rest of the Church’s teachings, this one just makes sense. In the natural realm, our actions affect others in ways we may never realize. Why not in the supernatural realm as well? Unfortunately, our transgressions also affect the rest of the body of Christ. We Catholics have, in the last couple of years, learned that painful truth all too well.
Because we are called to cultivate the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love, let’s accentuate the positive and look back into the history of the Church for ways in which the actions of one or more have benefited others far removed in time and place. A sort of Catholic “six degrees of separation.”
In August of 1218, an order, which came to be known as the Mercedarians, was founded in Spain, its mission the ransoming of captive Christians from the Muslims. The beautiful story attached to the founding has it that the Blessed Virgin Mary requested the foundation in separate visions on the same night to Peter Nolasco, Raymond of Penafort and King James I of Aragon. Though one need not believe this miraculous story, the order was founded and has produced numerous saints. A quarter-century earlier, another order, the Trinitarians had been founded in France. Both orders still exist today and continue their good works.
How many lovers of literature or the stage are aware of the great debt they owe to Mercedarians and Trinitarians who braved the dangers of long journey, disease, and death in a strange land to ransom slaves? Fast forward over 350 years to the year 1571. In the great naval battle of Lepanto, the Christians, led by Don Juan of Austria, dealt the invading Muslims a devastating defeat that was instrumental in the preservation of Europe. A young Spaniard took part in that engagement and suffered a hand injury that left him maimed for life. It was, however, a battle scar he wore with pride, for it was the boast of many who had fought at Lepanto. In the following years, the young gallant sought more adventure and found it, eventually winding up a slave in Algiers. Later that young man would be one of the many beneficiaries of the charity of the Mercedarians and Trinitarians. He was nearly ransomed by the former at one point, but it was to be members of the latter order who finally brought him home to Spain in 1580. In the next few years, the man wrote widely for the stage, but he would achieve lasting fame by authoring his masterpiece, perhaps the world’s masterpiece, the novel Don Quixote.
So the next time you are enjoying that wonderful book, or the movie or play Man of La Mancha, or even the next time you use the phrase “tilting at windmills,” thank God for Miguel Cervantes, but also remember the founders of the Mercedarians and Trinitarians who answered God’s call to help those in need. Cervantes himself did not forget. He was buried among the Trinitarians in their cemetery at Madrid.
John Moorehouse is the editor of the Catholic Men’s Quarterly, a new magazine for Catholic men. This article first appeared in their inaugural issue, available now. Visit the magazine’s website at www.houseonthemoor.com to learn how you can receive a great adventure book for young readers free with your subscription. Bulk order discounts also available. Great for parishes and men’s groups. Contact info: cmq@houseonthemoor.com.
