24 กันยายน วันฉลองแม่พระไถ่ทาส (Our Lady of Ransom) | พระมารดาแห่งความเมตตาผู้ปลดปล่อยวิญญาณ

On September 24, the Catholic Church honors Our Lady of Ransom (Our Lady of Mercy), a devotion rooted in the 13th century during a time when many Christians were captured and enslaved by the Moors in Spain. On August 1, 1218, the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared simultaneously to St. Peter Nolasco, St. Raymond of Peñafort, and King James I of Aragon, inspiring them to found the Mercedarian Order. These heroic friars were dedicated to ransoming Christian captives, often offering themselves in exchange when funds ran out. While physical slavery of that era has diminished, the Church extended this feast universally to recognize Mary’s ongoing spiritual intercession in ransoming the faithful from the bondage of sin and despair.

Reflection for the Faithful:
Our Lady of Ransom reminds us that true freedom is found in liberation from sin. In a modern world where many are enslaved by addictions, materialism, or past resentments, Mary stands ready to break our chains. Let us seek her maternal intercession to release us from our spiritual bondage, and in turn, inspire us to act with selfless mercy toward those who are suffering and marginalized in our own communities.