Feast: August 31
Patron: Expectant mothers, midwives, children, the falsely accused, those wrongly imprisoned
Early Life
Saint Raymond was born in 1204 in Catalonia, Spain, into a noble family. His surname Nonnatus (“not born”) recalls the extraordinary circumstances of his birth: his mother died during labor, and he was delivered by Caesarean section. From his earliest years, he showed signs of deep piety and a tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, who would be his lifelong refuge and patroness.
Though inclined to prayer and learning, his father wished him to pursue a worldly career. Yet the young Raymond, guided by grace, desired consecration to God. His steadfastness and humility overcame parental opposition, and he entered the newly founded Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy (Mercedarians), established by Saint Peter Nolasco for the ransom of Christian captives enslaved by the Moors.
Religious Zeal and Apostolic Work
As a Mercedarian friar, Saint Raymond embraced the charism of the Order: to redeem Christians held in captivity by infidels. His zeal was not limited to financial ransom; he even offered himself as a hostage when ransom money failed to suffice. This readiness to lay down his life for the freedom of others mirrored Christ’s own words: “Greater love than this no man hath, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
In his missionary journeys to North Africa, Raymond endured great sufferings. When he preached Christ to the infidels, many were converted, but his boldness provoked anger. To silence him, his captors bored holes through his lips and padlocked his mouth, preventing him from speaking. For eight months he endured this torment, offering his silence as a living sacrifice to God. At last, the Mercedarians secured his ransom, and he returned to Spain.
Later Life and Death
Saint Raymond’s holiness became widely known, and Pope Gregory IX created him a cardinal, though the saint remained humble and obedient, ever mindful of his vows. Before he could take possession of his new dignity in Rome, he was struck with a sudden illness on his journey and died at the age of 36 in Cardona, near Barcelona, in the year 1240.
Veneration
Miracles multiplied at his tomb, and devotion to him spread rapidly, especially among expectant mothers and women in childbirth, who invoked his intercession because of his own unusual birth. He was canonized in 1657 by Pope Alexander VII. His body rests in the shrine of Saint Nicholas in Barcelona, where he is honored with deep devotion.
Spiritual Legacy
Saint Raymond Nonnatus shines as an example of:
- Purity of heart from childhood
- Filial devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Charity to captives and the afflicted
- Heroic endurance in suffering for Christ
His silent martyrdom of the lips, endured for the love of preaching the Gospel, invites the faithful to sanctify their own speech, using their tongues only for the glory of God.
📜 Prayer to Saint Raymond Nonnatus:
O glorious Saint Raymond, who by thy sufferings didst merit to be a protector of Christian captives and a patron of expectant mothers, intercede for us, that we may be delivered from the captivity of sin and preserved from harm, and that mothers may be safeguarded in childbirth, to the glory of God and the honor of His Blessed Mother. Amen.