Saint’s Life Story

Nonnatus = Not Born 

Ramón (Raymond) was born in 1204 at Portella, in the diocese of Urgel, Catalonia, Spain.  He was delivered by caesarean operation when his mother died in childbirth; hence the name non natus = not born. 

His well-educated father planned a career for his son at the royal court of the Kingdom of Aragon. When Raymond felt drawn to religious life, his father ordered him to manage one of the family farms. What is known is that Raymond spent his childhood tending sheep and would often pray the Rosary at an ancient country chapel nearby dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Mira. If he was of aristocratic descent, clearly his father eventually abandoned hopes for his son’s social advancement.

Devoted to Mary

From the time he was very young, he manifested a great devotion to the Most Holy Virgin. Once Our Lady appeared to him and promised him her protection.   Afterward he was strongly tempted to sin against chastity but did not fall.   He went to thank his Patroness and consecrated his virginity to her.   Mary appeared to him again, showing her satisfaction and advising him to enter the Order of the Mercedarians (Order of Mercy), (the order founded to ransom Christian slaves from the Moors of North Africa) under Saint Peter Nolasco. His father later gave him permission to take the habit with the Mercedarians at Barcelona.

Ordained

In 1222, Raymond was ordained a priest putting on the white Mercedarian habit covering his chastity and symbolizing the interior purity of his soul. dedicated himself to the redemption of captives. He succeeded Saint Peter Nolasco as the second master general of the order.

Freed Captives in Valencia

Raymond was appointed the title of “Redeemer” marking the beginning of his journeys over turbulent seas where he brought compassion and mercy to captives. In 1224, Raymond accompanied Friar Guillem de Bas carried our his first redemption in Valencia freeing 233 captives. 

Four Times Freed Captives in Algiers

In 1226 in the Moorish city of Algiers, Raymond freed 140 captives and was more than willing to stay behind in exchange for unfortunate captives whose faith was in danger. 

For his third redemption, in 1229 also in Algiers, Raymond was accompanied by Friar Serapion, an English gentleman, and was able to free 150 captives from salvery. 

In 1232, Raymond and Friar Serapion accoomplished snatching 228 captives from Bugia’s dungeons and prisons. On their return, they endured a horrendous storm, which relented Raymond’s petition as Christ commanded the sea at Galilee.

Padlock Torture

Raymond carried out his final (and certainly most glorious) redemption in Algiers in 1236 remembered for the infamous padlock torture. Having exhausted all of his funds, Raymond stayed behind as a hostage. While Raymond was among the captives, he consoled, comforted and encouraged everyone. Raymond even had courage to preach and explain the truths of our holy faith to Allah’s worshippers, refuting the teachings of their prophet Mohammed. So, in order to quiet Raymond’s incessant preaching, the prison master ordered a red-hot spike driven through Raymond’s lips and a padlock to keep him quiet. This was done for eight months until Raymond himself was ransomed by Saint Peter Nolasco and returned to Barcelona.

Cardinal

In 1239, Pope Gregory IX recognizing Raymond’s virtues and apostolic zeal defending the faith, named Raymond a Cardinal of the Church. While on his way to Rome, Italy the next year, Raymond died at the Castle of Cardona, sixty miles from Barcelona, in Catalonia, Spain on August 31, 1240.

Devotion to St. Raymond

Due to the story of his own birth, Raymond quickly became widely invoked by women facing childbirth. One particular devotion is centered around the padlock that is part of his martyrdom. Locks are placed at his altar representing a prayer request to end gossip, rumors, false testimonies and other sins of the tongue. The locks are used as a visible sign of such prayer request, a prayer to God through St. Raymond’s intercession.

Beatified:           November 5, 1625 by Pope Urban VIII

Canonized:        1657 by Pope Alexander VII

Feast Day:         August 31

Patron Saint:     Childbirth; Midwives; Newborns; Pregnant Women

Source:

• • Dictionary of Saints: Delaney, John J.
  • Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints: Bunson, Matthew, Bunson, Margaret, Bunson, Stephen
  • Saint Raymond Nonnatus – The Person and Wonders of His Sanctity by Fr. Juan Devesa, O.de M.
  • Raymond Nonnatus – Wikipedia

Prayers

Video Link

St. Raymond Nonnatus, Patron of Expectant Mothers and Families – YouTube (Mercedarian Friars USA)