St. Raymond Nonnatus
St. Raymond Nonnatus
St. Raymond Nonnatus: The Miracle-Born Saint
When they lived:
St. Raymond Nonnatus, also known as Saint Raymond Nonnat, lived during the 12th and 13th centuries. He was born in 1204 in the village of Portell, Catalonia, Spain.
Where they lived:
St. Raymond’s early life was deeply rooted in the picturesque landscapes of Catalonia, a region known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture.
Notable world events during the time of their life:
- 1215 – Magna Carta Sealed: In a significant historical moment, King John of England sealed the Magna Carta, laying the groundwork for constitutional rights and limiting the power of the monarchy. Though St. Raymond lived in Spain, this event’s ripples would eventually impact governance and liberties worldwide.
- 1227 – Genghis Khan’s Death: The legendary Mongol leader Genghis Khan passed away, leaving behind an empire that stretched from Asia to Eastern Europe. His legacy shaped the course of history, ushering in cultural exchanges, trade routes, and the famed Pax Mongolica.
- 1248-1254 – The Seventh Crusade: Led by King Louis IX of France, the Seventh Crusade aimed to regain control of the Holy Land. The effects of this religious expedition reverberated across continents and influenced the cultural exchange between East and West.
- 1269 – Marco Polo’s Travels: The renowned Venetian merchant and explorer, Marco Polo, completed his extraordinary journey through Asia. His fascinating tales of distant lands and cultures captivated the imagination of Europe, sparking further exploration and trade with the East.
Their patronage:
St. Raymond Nonnatus is known as the patron saint of expectant mothers, midwives, and newborns. He earned this title due to the circumstances of his birth. “Nonnatus” translates to “not born,” as he was delivered through an emergency cesarean section after his mother’s death, making him a symbol of hope and protection during childbirth.
Early Life
Raymond Nonnatus was born in 1204 in the village of Portell in the Diocese of Urgell. His mother died while giving birth to him, and a caesarean section had to be performed to save his life. Hence, he goes by the Latin nickname Nonnatus, which means “not born”. He was practically taken out of the womb of his deceased mother. His father was a local doctor who performed the surgery that saved his life.
Raymond’s well-educated father had high expectations for his son, whom he wanted to serve in the Kingdom of Aragon’s royal court. However,Raymond was so devoted to Christianity that he did not want anything to do with the royal court. His father resorted to sending him to one of his family farms. This move did not deter the young Raymond from following his religious beliefs. He studied the word of God and prayed with the farmworkers at a nearby ancient country chapel, which was dedicated to St. Nicholas.
Upon realizing Raymond’s devotion to Christianity, his father expressed hopes for his son’s social advancement. He permitted him to take up the habit with the Mercedians in Barcelona. The order was established to set free Christian captives from the Moors of North Africa by paying ransom to the captors. The founder of that order was St. Peter Nolasco, who was also Raymond’s mentor. Raymond was trained well to the extent that he became a priest in 1222 and later became Master General of the Order.
Raymond set out to fulfill the goals of the order, which entailed ransoming captured Christians. He went to Valencia, where he managed to set free 140 Christians from slavery after paying the required ransom. His next journey took him to North Africa, where he successfully ransomed 250 captives in Algiers. However, in Tunis, he ran out of money to pay the ransom and offered himself in exchange for 28 captive Christians. By doing so, he was following a special fourth vow taken by the members of the order.
He was sentenced to death but was spared by his captors, who realized that his ransom would bring in a large amount of money. During his incarceration, he preached the gospel of Jesus Christ and managed to convert some prison guards. To stop him from preaching, his captors bored a hole through his lips with a hot iron and attached a padlock. In 1239, he was ransomed by his order and returned to Spain. That year, Pope Gregory IX named Raymond Cardinal Deacon of Sant’ Eustachio.
Date of Death
Raymond died at the Castle of Cardona, 69 miles from Barcelona, on August 31, 1240, aged 36. He was on his way to Rome after being invited by the Pope. His body was claimed by the local count, the friars, and the town. As a way of resolving this dispute, the body was placed on a blind mule. Without guidance, the mule went straight to a nearby chapel where Raymond had prayed as a young man. This was taken as a sign that he should be buried at the chapel.
Canonization and patronage
Raymond was canonized in Rome by Pope Alexander VII in 1657. He is portrayed in paintings in the habit of his order, surrounded by ransomed slaves, with a padlock on his lips. Raymond is the patron saint of pregnant women, childbirth, and newborn infants. Due to the story of his birth, women facing childbirth pray to ask for his intercession.
Feast Day
His feast day is celebrated on August 31. However, the reforms of the church calendar in 1969 did not include Raymond’s feast day with those that are observed wherever the Roman Rite is celebrated. Therefore, since he is included in the Roman Martyrology for August 31, Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours may be recited in his honor on that day as in the pre-1970 General Roman Calendar, which is observed by some traditionalist Catholics.
5 Interesting Facts About St. Raymond Nonnatus
- His Latin nickname Nonnatus means “not born” because he was taken
from the womb of his deceased mother. - During his time in Tunis as a prisoner of faith, he managed to
convert some prison guards to Christianity.
Prayer to St. Raymond Nonnatus
Glorious St. Raymond, filled with compassion for those who invoke you and with love for those who suffer heavily under the weight of my troubles,I cast myself at your feet and humbly beg of you to take my present concerns, which I recommend to you, under your special protection. [Mention your intention(s) here…]Promise to recommend these to the Blessed Virgin Mary and lay them before the Throne of Jesus, so that He may bring it to a happy ending. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted. Above all, obtain for me the grace of one day coming face to face with God and with you, the Blessed Virgin Mary, and the saints, praising and blessing together for all eternity. Amen.
