Blessed Peter Paschal

Biography

Blessed Peter Paschal, also known as Peter Pascual, Peter Pascualez, Peter Paschasius, Pedro Pascual, or Pietro Pascasio, was born in 1227 in Valencia, Spain. He was a highly educated individual, having received his doctorate from the prestigious University of Paris in France.

In 1250, Peter Paschal joined the Mercedarians, a religious order dedicated to the ransoming of Christians held captive by non-Christians. His commitment to this cause would come to define his life and vocation.

In 1253, Peter Paschal became a priest and was appointed as the tutor to Don Sancho, the son of the king of Aragon, who was part of modern-day Spain. This role allowed Peter Paschal to exercise his scholarly and pastoral skills, guiding and educating the young prince.

In 1289, Peter Paschal was appointed as the Bishop of Jaén, Spain, at a time when the diocese was situated in territory controlled by the Moors, or Muslims. During his time as bishop, he dedicated himself tirelessly to the mission of ransoming Christians who were held hostage by the Moors. Peter Paschal's efforts were not only focused on the physical liberation of these captives but also in raising awareness and speaking out against the faith of Islam itself, as well as the practice of hostage-taking by the Moors.

Peter Paschal wrote and preached extensively, using his knowledge and intellectual gifts to combat the perceived dangers of Islam as a faith and to condemn the taking of Christian hostages. His writings and teachings aimed to protect the Christian community and to foster dialogue and understanding between Christians and Muslims.

Unfortunately, Peter Paschal's dedication to his mission would ultimately cost him his life. In 1297, he was ambushed by Moors and subsequently imprisoned in Granada, a city under Moorish control. Despite being held captive for several years, Peter Paschal remained resilient in his faith and commitment to his beliefs.

On 6 December 1300, Peter Paschal was martyred at the order of King Moulay Mohammed. He was beheaded while adorned in his priestly vestments, a representation of his unwavering commitment to his religious vocation.

Blessed Peter Paschal's legacy lives on through his writings and teachings against Islam and hostage-taking. His life serves as a testament to the lengths one can go in defending their faith and fighting for the freedom of others. On 14 August 1670, he was beatified by Pope Clement X, recognizing his martyrdom and heroic virtues.