ST. RAYMOND NONNATUS, CONFESSOR AND BISHOP

Born at Portella, Catalonia, Spain, he was delivered by caesarian operation when his mother died in childbirth, hence his name Nonnatus (not born).

He joined the Mercedarians under St. Peter Nolasco at Barcelona, succeeded Peter as chief ransomer, and went to Algeria to ransom slaves. He remained as hostage for several slaves when his ransom money ran out and was sentenced to be impaled when the governor learned that he had converted several Mohammedans. He escaped the death sentence because of the ransom he would bring, but was forced to run the gauntlet. He was then tortured for continuing his evangelizing activities but was ransomed eight months later by St. Peter Nolasco. On his return to Barcelona in 1239, he was appointed cardinal by Pope Gregory IX but died at Cardona (Cerdagne) a short distance from Barcelona the next year while on the way to Rome. He was canonized in 1657 and is the patron Saint of midwives. His Feast Day is August 31.

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