ARMENGOL, PEDRO, BEATO

PEDRO ARMENGOL, Blessed. — Born probably in 1238 in the village of Guardia de los Prats, in the province of Tarragona, into the family of the counts of Urgel. After a dissolute youth—his father Arnold, in the service of King James I of Aragon, discovered that he had even become the leader of bandits—illuminated by divine grace he obtained entry, in Barcelona, into the young Order of Our Lady of Mercy, dedicating himself entirely to the redemption of Christians captured by the Saracens. He worked actively for the liberation of many unfortunate souls on the peninsula and then in Africa, where, to redeem 18 Christian children, he suffered various torments. Returning to Spain, he lived in his native village, where he died, it seems, in 1304, in a reputation for holiness. His name and deeds were extremely popular in the valley of Barberà and in the mountains of Prades. His cult was recognized by Urban VIII and confirmed by Innocent XI in 1687; his feast, previously on September 19, was transferred to April 27.