Blessed Peter Armengol gave his life to free captives, accepting torture and even a hanging on their behalf.

He was the son of a noble family in 13th century Spain, but spent his youth with a rough gang of thieves. They would ambush travelers, taking what they wanted by force.

When the king was preparing to visit the region, he sent an armed patrol to clear the roadways of these kinds of thieves; Peter’s father was one of these guards. When the patrol found Peter’s gang, Peter and his friends drew swords and prepared to fight. When Peter realized that he was facing his own father, he decided to convert his ways and to lead a different lifestyle.

He decided to give his life to God, and joined a religious order that had a mission to rescue Christians who were being held captive in Africa. He made a number of trips to offer ransom for captives, or to accept torture on their behalf. It is said that he took the place of 18 captured Christian children at one point.

During one trip, he took the place of one captive, allowing him to go free, until a fellow brother arrived with ransom money for his freedom. When the ransom money was delayed, Peter was hanged, and cut down when he was thought dead.

When his brother arrived the next day with the ransom money, he found Peter alive. (He is depicted in this image from Catholic.org with an angel supporting him as he hangs.) His neck was permanently twisted, however, and he lived the rest of his life in much pain. He retired to a monastery where he lived a secluded life of prayer until he died at the age of 66. He is honored as a martyr for all of the sufferings that he endured.

Blessed Peter Armengol, you who survived a hanging in order to liberate captives, pray for us!