RAIMONDO NONNATO, saint. - The biographical information and that concerning the cult of St. R. are of late and highly uncertain origin. From the unusual manner in which he came into the world, R. received the appellation of N. Born in Portell, in Catalonia, at about twenty years of age (1220) he entered the then newly founded Order of the Mercedarians.
He devoted himself entirely to the liberation and conversion of slaves, especially in Spanish lands 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 captive infidels. Having himself remained as a hostage on their behalf, while offerings were being collected in Spain for his own and others’ release, R. N. heroically endured unheard-of torments, among them the well-known piercing of his lips. Because of the fame of such virtue, Gregorio IX thought of raising him to the cardinalitial dignity (1239) and of having him as counsellor in Rome. While, in obedience, R. N. was setting out for the Urbs, he died at Cardona and was subsequently buried in the little church of S. Nicola, 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 his feast; however, only by order of Alessandro VII, in 1657, was it entered in the Roman Martyrology; Innocenzo XI, in 1667, extended his feast to the whole Church.