St. Raymond Nonnatus
Feast 08-31 · Canonized 1657
Patron of
About
Raymond Nonnatus was born around 1204 in Portell, Catalonia. His surname, meaning "not born," comes from the tradition that he was delivered by caesarean section after his mother died in childbirth. He joined the Mercedarian order, founded to ransom Christians held captive by Muslim rulers, and succeeded St. Peter Nolasco as its head.
Raymond traveled to North Africa to ransom captives and, when his money ran out, offered himself as a hostage in exchange for the freedom of others. He endured imprisonment and torture, and legend says his lips were pierced with a padlock to keep him from preaching. He was eventually ransomed and returned to Spain, where he died in 1240.
Because of the manner of his birth, Raymond is invoked by expectant mothers, women in labor, and midwives.
Prayer
St. Raymond Nonnatus, ransomed from captivity with your lips sealed by a padlock, pray for expectant mothers and for all who are silenced, that they may be delivered and speak again. Amen.