Raymond Nonnatus, Saint

RAYMOND NONNATUS, Saint. - The biographical information and that concerning the cult of St. R. are of late origin and quite uncertain. From the unusual manner in which he saw the light of day, R. received the appellation N. A native of Portell in Catalonia, at about the age of 20 (1220) he enrolled in the Order of the Mercedarians, which had then only just been founded.

He devoted himself entirely to the liberation and conversion of slaves, especially in Spanish territory occupied by the Moors. After a mission to Rome to plead a cause of his Order, R. N. went to Algeria for the redemption of other infidel prisoners. Having himself remained as a hostage on their behalf, while in Spain offerings were being collected for his liberation and that of others, R. N. heroically endured unheard-of torments, among which the piercing of his lips is also famous. Because of the renown of such great virtue, Gregory IX thought of raising him to the cardinal dignity (1239) and wished to have him as a counselor in Rome. While in obedience R. N. was setting out toward the City, he died at Cardona, and was afterward buried in the little church of St. Nicholas, which because of his cult was soon transformed into a sanctuary. The probable day of his death (31 Aug. 1240) was fixed as the date of the feast, which, however, only by order of Alexander VII, in 1657, was inserted into the Roman Martyrology; Innocent XI in 1667 extended the feast to the whole Church.

Carlo Callovini