Saint Raymond Nonato He was born from a difficult birth, which made him the patron and protector of midwives, his name even means: “Not Born” as his mother was already dead when he was born.
Tell the story that Saint Raymond Nonato was born in the year 1200 in Portel, Spain, in the diocese of Solsona, spending his childhood working as a pastor, constantly visiting the hermitage of Saint Nicholas, where he venerated the image of Our Lady.
During the hours he spent praying to Our Lady, it is said that an angel guarded the flock for the boy, and this protection came from a young age. Saint Raymond Nonato He had a great inclination towards religious life. However, his father did not accept this and unsuccessfully tried to prevent the young man from responding to his calling.
Saint Raymond He joined the order of Nossa Senhora das Mercês, receiving the habit from Saint Pedro Nolasco (founder of the order), becoming a great example in the mission of rescuing Christian slaves from the hands of the Moors.
According to the story once, Saint Raymond managed to lead a mission that freed 150 Christians, however, when in Algeria the resources for saving those who were at risk of losing their lives and faith ran out, the Missionary and Priest Raymond, gave himself up in place of one of the Christians. In prision, Raymond He preached to Muslims and Christians, with so much Anointing that his conversion began and in this way he suffered a lot, as they went to the extreme of piercing his lips with a hot iron, closing them with a padlock. He was later released from prison and returned to Spain.
Saint Raymond Nonato, died in Cardona in the year 1240 seriously ill. He was unable to reach Rome where Pope Gregory IX wanted Saint Raymond as Cardinal and counselor. His body came to rest in the same hermitage of Saint Nicholas where he prayed during his years as a pastor.
Saint Raymond Nonatopray for us!