St. Raymond Nonnatus
Posted on September 2, 2019 by admin No comments
Born: 1204 Portell, County of Segarra, Principality of Catalonia, Crown of Aragon, (current Spain)
Died: August 31, 1240 Castle of Cardona, County of Cardona, Principality of Catalonia, Crown of Aragon, (current Spain)
Venerated: in Roman Catholic Church Canonized 1657, Rome, by Pope Alexander VII
Feast: August 31
Patronage: Baitoa, Dominican Republic; childbirth; expectant mothers; pregnant women; newborn babies; infants; children; obstetricians; midwives; fever; the falsely accused; confidentiality of confession.
Raymond Nonnatus, O. de M. (Catalan: Sant Ramon Nonat, Spanish: San Ramón Nonato, French: Saint Raymond Nonnat, Maltese: San Rajmondo Nonnato), (1204 – 31 August 1240) is a saint from Catalonia in Spain. His nickname (Latin: Nonnatus, “not born”) refers to his birth by Caesarean section, his mother having died while giving birth to him.
Raymond is the patron saint of childbirth, midwives, children, pregnant women, and priests defending the confidentiality of confession.
Life
According to the traditions of the Mercedarian Order, he was born in the village of Portell (today part of Sant Ramon), in the Diocese of Urgell. He was taken from the womb of his mother after her death, hence his name. Some traditions describe him as the son of the local count, who is traditionally credited as the one to have performed the surgery which saved his life, others that he was born in a family of shepherds. His well-educated father planned a career for his son at the royal court of the Kingdom of Aragon. When the boy felt drawn to religious life, his father ordered him to manage one of the family farms. What is known is that Raymond spent his childhood tending sheep and would often pray at an ancient country chapel nearby dedicated to St. Nicholas. If he was of aristocratic descent, clearly his father eventually abandoned hopes for his son’s social advancement.
His father later gave him permission to take the habit with the Mercedarians at Barcelona. The order was founded to ransom Christian captives from the Moors of North Africa. Raymond was trained by the founder of that order himself, St. Peter Nolasco. He was ordained a priest in 1222 and later became Master General of the Order.
Raymond then set out to fulfill the goals of Order. He went to Valencia, where he ransomed 140 Christians from slavery. He then traveled to North Africa, where he was able to ransom another 250 captives in Algiers, and then went to Tunis, where he is said to have surrendered himself as a hostage for 28 captive Christians when his money ran out, in keeping with a special fourth vow taken by the members of the order. He suffered in captivity as a legend states that the Moors bored a hole through his lips with a hot iron, and padlocked his mouth to prevent him from preaching. He was ransomed by his order and returned to Spain in 1239.
Raymond died at the Castle of Cardona, sixty miles from Barcelona, either on August 26 or on August 31, 1240. According to tradition, the local count, the friars and the town all claimed his body. To resolve this dispute, the body was placed on a blind mule, which was let loose. Unguided, it went to the nearby country chapel where he had prayed in his youth. It was there that he was buried. Many miracles were attributed to him before and after his death.
In the historiography and hagiography from the 16th century it is repeatedly claimed that upon his return to Spain in 1239, Pope Gregory IX nominated him Cardinal Deacon of Sant’Eustachio, and that he died en route to Rome. Consequently, he is traditionally depicted as wearing the scarlet red mozzetta of a cardinal. However, Italian historian Agostino Paravicini Bagliani has established that this account resulted from a confusion of Raymond Nonnatus with Englishman Robert Somercote, the Cardinal Deacon of S. Eustachio 1238-1241, and has concluded that Raymond was never a cardinal.
Raymond was canonized by Pope Alexander VII in 1657. His feast day is celebrated on August 31.
Veneration
The towns of Saint-Raymond, Quebec, Canada; San Ramón de la Nueva Orán, Argentina; and São Raimundo Nonato, Brazil; are named for him. A shrine in Buenos Aires and the Roman Catholic Diocese of São Raimundo Nonato (Raymundianus) in Brazil are dedicated to him.
In the United States, the Parish of St. Raymond, in the New York City Borough of [[the Bronx];the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus in Joliet, Illinois; and St. Raymond Catholic Community in Downey, California; are under his patronage. There is also a parish dedicated to him in Juana Díaz, Puerto Rico.
Altar of Saint Raymond Nonnatus, Metropolitan Cathedral, Mexico City
Due to the story of his own birth, Raymond quickly became widely invoked by women facing childbirth. This can be seen in the large number of santos depicting him found in the colonies of the Spanish Empire.
Because of his limited historical importance, however, since the reforms of the Church calendar in 1969, the liturgical commemoration of Raymond’s feast day is no longer included among those to be necessarily observed wherever the Roman Rite is celebrated, but, 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.
One particular devotion is centered around the padlock that is part of his martyrdom. Locks are placed at his altar representing a prayer request to end gossip, rumours, false testimonies and other sins of the tongue. The locks are used as a visible sign of such prayer request, which first and foremost must take place interiorly, a prayer to God through St. Raymond’s intercession.
Prayer to St. Raymond Nonnatus
O Blessed Saint Raymond Nonnatus, so loving to all your devotees, I being last of them all, I am happy to know that through the infinite goodness of God, He has deigned to make you a Saint, adorned thee with special graces and help, for which I am most thankful.
On the Most Holy Trinity, and you my adorable patron saint, through your merits and those of the blood poured by our Savior Jesus Christ, and through the Immaculate Conception of Mary, I most humbly beg thee, deign to intercede from the most sublime God, protection for the holy Mother Church, that through your prayers, God’s wrath be taken away, see the progress of true faith, defeat the wrong doctrines, the peace and understanding of all Christians, peace of the whole country and the redemption of the Christian captives.
I am humbly begging you my devoted saint, that you be may be my intercessor. Since for many hours you did not die of the womb of your dead mother an you were successfully delivered from her side, to be the joy of the world, and that my soul may live in grace in this earthly world, may I imitate your live and exemplary holiness, so that when the hour of my death comes, I may detest all evil thoughts and temporary wealth of this world, so that with the burning love for God, my soul may reach heaven and together with you and the angels and all the saints, praise God Almighty forever.
Deign to grant me most amiable father the favor I am asking in this novena (mention the request). I firmly believe most amiable father that you will be my protection since you are merciful to any one imploring thy help.
But if the favor I am asking will not be for the glory of God and the good of my soul, then beg from God that I will be resigned to his Divine Will, so that I may have the peace of soul while I live, till the hour of my death and that I enjoy true happiness in heaven. Amen.
Prayer to St. Raymond Nonnatus
Glorious St. Raymond, filled with compassion for those who invoke thee and with love for those who suffer heavily leaden with the weight of my troubles, I cast myself at thy feet and humbly beg of thee to take the present affair which I recommend to thee under thy special protection. Vouchsafe to recommend it to the Blessed Virgin Mary and lay it before the Throne of Jesus, so that He may bring it to a happy issue. Cease not to intercede for me until my request is granted. Above all obtain for me the grace of one day beholding my God face to Face, and with thee and Mary and the saints praising and blessing to all eternity. Amen.
Good St. Raymond, pray for us and obtain our request.
Good St. Raymond, pray for us and obtain our request.
Good St. Raymond, pray for us and obtain our request.
Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be to the Father. Amen.
Prayer to St. Raymond Nonnatus
O God, Who didst make blessed Raymund, Thy confessor, wonderful in delivering Thy faithful held in captivity by the infidels, grant us by his intercession that, being loosed from the bonds of our sins, we may with quiet minds perform those things which are pleasing to Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Healing Prayer to St. Raymond Nonnatus for the Divorced
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of life and of the love you give us daily. Thank you for all families both inside and outside the Church. Lord, we ask for your healing presence for divorced Catholics in the Church, their children, and extended families. We ask for your presence in the pain they experience in the process of divorce. We thank you for your love, even in very difficult times. We know your love can and will overcome all the difficulties of life. We pray for all families in the Church and in the world to stay strong with the help of the Holy Spirit We also pray to your Mother for her assistance and guidance and to of all of the Angels and Saints. We especially ask for the intercession of St. Raymond Nonnatus, our patron. We pray for all people of faith in danger of losing their faith in Christ and His Church. In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Novena to St. Raymond Nonnatus
Novena to St. Raymund Nonato, Protector of the Unborn Babies, Patron of Ex-pectant Mothers and Fathers:
Please recite this novena for 9 days
1st day:
My lord and my God, I humbly adore your infinite majesty, three persons in one God. I am thankful for the graces you have granted to the glorious St. Raymund. He willingly gave himself so that slaves and captives could have their freedom. His heroism was possible because you gave him the grace.
O St. Raymund, listen to my petitions and intercede before the throne of Jesus. You did not die at the womb of your dead mother and you lived to become a saint of the Lord. Listen then to my petition that my baby will come out healthy and grow to become a saint like you. Amen.
(3) Hail Mary and (3) Glory be. St Raymund Nonato pray for us.
2nd day:
My sweet Jesus, you cared for your servant St. Raymund by saving him from a certain death in the womb of his mother. You glorified him through his heroism and life as a beggar. You called this saint to a difficult life of saving the slaves and captives in the hands of the Muslims, a task which he did for your greater glory.
O dear St. Raymund, since childhood, you were close to God and you felt his presence anywhere. You knew you were called when you were still young and you sustained the interest on that calling by a life of prayer and meditation. Now in heaven, you sit at the lap of the most high and give him glory constantly. Intercede for me before Jesus that he may grant my petitions during this novena. Amen.
(3) Hail Mary and (3) Glory be. St Raymund Nonato pray for us.
3rd day:
O Mary most holy you are more of a mother than a queen. Though in your brief life on earth, you did not want special treatment from people, you want to treat your children in the most special manner. St. Raymund in the absence of her mother, called on you to be her mother and you protected him from the devil and his works.
O dear St. Raymund, your life of piety was marked by an intense dialogue with the Mother of God. She was your mother in the real sense of the word, as you looked at her for protection during your childhood days. We promise to be devotees of your Mother and we ask you to intercede for us before Jesus our petitions during this novena. Amen.
(3) Hail Mary and (3) Glory be. St Raymund Nonato pray for us.
4th day:
Lord, Jesus Christ you were disobedient to your Father and you defined your life as doing his will no matter what it costs. You want your servants to be as obedient as you are. Your servant, St. Raymund excelled in this obedience when after exhausting his money, he gave himself as a hostage to the Muslims in exchange for the freedom of certain slaves.
St. Raymund, teach us to be obedient to the Father’s will. Teach us to accept our daily crosses. Guide us to the works of charity. Instill in us a holy fear and above all, a great love for God and our neighbors. Bring our petitions to the throne of Jesus. Amen.
(3) Hail Mary and (3) Glory be. St Raymund Nonato pray for us.
5th day:
Lord Jesus Christ, you told us that whatever we do to the least of our brothers, we do it unto you. Our entrance into your Kingdom will be determined by the way we serve the needy and the poor.
St. Raymund excelled in his service to others, allowing himself to become a slave in order to free as many captives as he could. He did not hesitate to spend his last treasure so that others may live. While he was honored a cardinal, he still spent his time on the streets begging for others.
St. Raymund, we are also beggars who beg your intercession so that the Lord may grant us our petitions for this novena. Intercede for us before the throne of the most High so that our petitions could be granted and we promise to help the poor and the needy the best way we can. Amen.
(3) Hail Mary and (3) Glory be. St Raymund Nonato pray for us.
6th day:
Lord Jesus Christ, you love purity and through the virginity of the Holy Mother, you blest all those who are faithful to a chaste life. St. Raymund was chaste and pure throughout his life. He offered himself to Mother Mary and made a solemn vow to imitate her in holy virginity.
Look on us with pity St. Raymund that we, too, may learn to be chaste by cleansing our minds and hearts of all impure things. Make us understand that impure thoughts become deadly once we entertain them. Help us then that we may not entertain impure thoughts and welcome only in our minds and hearts thoughts that edify our neighbors and make us closer to God. Amen.
(3) Hail Mary and (3) Glory be. St Raymund Nonato pray for us.
7th day:
Lord Jesus Christ, you did not deem equality with God as something to be looked up, but you emptied yourself and became one with us, a human being with all its imperfections, except sin. You lead us on the way of humility.
St. Raymund, you belonged to a rich and noble family. You considered your riches and nobility as garbage in comparison to what you had received as a religious. You only accepted the office of being a Cardinal because of obedience but soon after you received the honor, you went to the streets to be a beggar and beg to take care of the poor.
Lead us then to live humble existence, without reference to our positions and wealth, and see everything as a gift from God. Listen to our petitions, dear saint, and intercede for us before the throne of God who listens to you. Amen.
(3) Hail Mary and (3) Glory be. St Raymund Nonato pray for us.
8th day:
Lord Jesus Christ, you offered yourself to the Father and shed your blood to do his will. Your death is the crowning of your life totally dedicated to the Father.
O St. Raymund, you were tortured and nearly became a martyr. You survived the ordeal because your torturers wanted you more alive than dead for the ransom that they could get from you. But you were never afraid of dying and death for Jesus sake was something that you longed in your heart. Your eyes were fixed in heaven and life eternal.
Enlighten us always that reaching our eternal destiny may become our obsession. Inspire us to fix our gaze on things of heaven and never allow us to lose our sight of the things that will come. Let not the pleasures and comforts of this life suffocate our interest to join you in heaven. Amen.
(3) Hail Mary and (3) Glory be. St Raymund Nonato pray for us.
9th day:
Lord Jesus Christ, you sent your apostles to preach the gospel to all creation by words and deeds. You trusted weak human beings to carry your message across the earth and across time. You were not mistaken, for the Church is now all over the world. St. Raymund was a special apostle if his time, having converted even the Muslims to your cause.
O St. Raymund, give us the sense of urgency of sharing the good news to others as we ask you to intercede for us before Jesus. We also commit ourselves to follow in your steps as apostles who proclaim your message of salvation to the whole world. Bring out petitions to Jesus and we promise to be as zealous and sacrificing as you were, so that the good news may reach the far corners of the world. Amen.
(3) Hail Mary and (3) Glory be. St Raymund Nonato pray for us.