CATHOLIC NEWS AGENCY, AUGUST 31, 2009
Raymond became a priest due to his quiet persistence in prayer and study.
He was born to a noble Spanish family in 1204. His father had planned a career for Raymond in the royal court, but the young Raymond felt drawn to religious life. In an attempt to dissuade him, his father ordered him to manage one of the family farms. However, Raymond spent his time with the workers, studying, and praying. His father finally gave up and allowed Raymond to enter the Mercederians.
Fr. Raymond spent his entire estate ransoming Christians. He even offered himself as a hostage to free another. He was sentenced to death but was spared because of his large ransom value.
During his imprisonment, he succeeded at converting some of his guards. To keep him from continuing his preaching, his captors bored a hole through his lips with a hot iron, and attached a padlock. He was eventually ransomed, and he returned to Barcelona in 1239.
He died one year later in 1240, at age 36, after being created cardinal. He was on his way to Rome to answer a papal summons.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=580
SAINT OF THE DAY: ST. RAYMOND NONNATUS
Raymond became a priest due to his quiet persistence in prayer and study.
He was born to a noble Spanish family in 1204. His father had planned a career for Raymond in the royal court, but the young Raymond felt drawn to religious life. In an attempt to dissuade him, his father ordered him to manage one of the family farms. However, Raymond spent his time with the workers, studying, and praying. His father finally gave up and allowed Raymond to enter the Mercederians.
Fr. Raymond spent his entire estate ransoming Christians. He even offered himself as a hostage to free another. He was sentenced to death but was spared because of his large ransom value.
During his imprisonment, he succeeded at converting some of his guards. To keep him from continuing his preaching, his captors bored a hole through his lips with a hot iron, and attached a padlock. He was eventually ransomed, and he returned to Barcelona in 1239.
He died one year later in 1240, at age 36, after being created cardinal. He was on his way to Rome to answer a papal summons.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint.php?n=580