San Ramon Nonato Shrine

SAN RAMON NONATO

2011-10-03T00:12:00.000-07:00

SAN RAMON NONATO DE TAGAS, DARAGA, ALBAY

ORA PRO NOBIS!!!

VIVA SAN RAMON!!!

Novena in Honor of Saint Raymund Nonnatus

2010-08-20T18:47:00.000-07:00

P R A Y E R

O glorious Saint Raymund Nonnatus, model of charity towards poor and needy persons, here I am, poor sinner, in great need of help from above. Through your intercession I ask help and protection from God the Almighty in my needs. As it was your delight to help the needy during your earthly life, so much more must it be your happiness now in Heaven, to intercede for those who take their recourse to you. To you, St. Raymund, protector or expectant mothers, I take my recourse. Intercede for me and the child I expect. Protect me and the child from all dangers now and during delivery and save the life of my child. I promise God to do my very best to make the child a good child of God through early baptism, and later on by giving the child a good Christian education, according to the Commandments of God and the Catholic Church.

Hear my prayers and make me a happy mother of the child I expect. Amen.

CONCLUDING PRAYER to St. Raymund

Oh glorious St. Raymund, my patron dear, to you I take recourse in my needs. God has called me to the state of married life, and has blessed our union. I am expecting a child and to God I consecrate it just now. Intercede for us, especially for the mother and child, and grant them a safe delivery. The child I expect shall encourage me to lead a good Christian life and I shall try my best to make the child a true God-loving child. I know that you can obtain God's help and protection and in your intercession I trust. Show yourself as the kind intercessor and protector of those who invoke you.

Most loving St. Raymund, I trust in your help. Amen.

(Pray one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be for your intentions in this Novena).

Source: Our Lady of Lourdes Prayerbook (Philippines, 1966) p. 109-110.

2009-09-22T01:48:00.000-07:00

2009-09-14T07:33:00.000-07:00

SAN RAMON NONATO

2009-09-04T07:01:00.000-07:00

While still a young man, he joined the Orden de la Merced, which was an order which raised money to go to North Africa and pay the ransom for Christians who were being held there. While on one such mission, he was found, by the Muslim authorities, to be preaching and attempting to gain converts to Christianity. The local ruler warned him that he must stop, or else he would be punished. A zealous preacher, he continued, and was arrested. In order to literally shut him up, his lips were perforated and a padlock was installed, which was later removed when they put him on a ship back to Spain.

For this last reason, he has become a very popular saint in Mexico, where people appeal to him by way of a spell designed to shut up gossips. In this, one acquires and image of the saint, along with a red votive candle. One prays the prayer to him which one finds on the back of his prayer card or his votive candles, and then one asks him to shut up a particular gossip or group of gossips, and then one takes chewing gum and uses it to press a coin over his mouth. One lights the candle and sets it next to the image on one’s altar (this is what curanderas do) or else one sets it in some place where it will not be disturbed.

Of course, he is also invoked for a safe childbirth:

"Oh excelso patrono, San Ramón, modelo de caridad para con los pobres y necesitados, aquí me tenéis postrado humildemente ante vuestros pies para implorar vuestro auxilio en mis necesidades. Así como era vuestra mayor dicha ayudar a los pobres y necesitados en la tierra, socorredme, os suplico, oh glorioso San Ramón, en esta mi aflicción. A vos, oh glorioso protector acudo para que bendigáis al hijo que llevo en mi seno. Protegedme a mí y al hijo de mis entrañas ahora y durante el parto que se aproxima. Os prometo educarlo según las leyes y mandamientos de Dios. Escuchad mis oraciones, amante protector mío, San Ramón, y hacedme madre feliz de este hijo que espero dar a luz por medio de vuestra poderosa intercesión. Así sea."

Source: http://arturovasquez.wordpress.com/2009/07/27/san-ramon-nonato/

San Ramon Nonato Church in Tagas, Daraga, Albay

2009-08-31T03:34:00.002-07:00

San Ramon Nonato Church
Tagas, Daraga, Albay

In what is now the beautiful and modern San Ramon Nonato Church in Tagas, Daraga, Albay used to stand the simple Tagas Chapel. The old chapel was severely dilapidated due to the destructive typhoon Sisang in 1987.

The first chapel made by the pious people of Tagas in honor of their patron saint and mighty protector, San Ramon Nonato, was one made of nipa and bamboo.

The residents of Tagas referred to their chapel as "ermita" or a hermitage.

It has been related that when the said nipa chapel was in a sorry state of disrepair brought about by the slackening of the faith and devotion of the people, San Ramon himself appeared to a nipa dealer from Banquerohan, Legazpi City and requested for some nipa for his house which was then leaking. This story, related to me with so much emotion by my grandfather Servando Llasos (known as "Bandoy")went -

"One day, a nipa dealer from Banquerohan (Legazpi City) went to Tagas (Daraga, Albay) to sell or peddle nipa to the residents. When it was around high noon, the nipa dealer took some rest under a big tree near the chapel in Tagas. While resting, a goodlooking man with Hispanic features approached him and requested the nipa dealer to deliver him some nipa because the roof over his head was leaking. The man from Banquerohan asked his name to which he replied, "My name is Ramon Nonato." When asked where he was living, the meztizo-looking man told the nipa dealer, "You can find my house in the center of three streets. Ask around for me. Ramon Nonato is my name."

The next day, the nipa dealer went back to Tagas to deliver the nipa for Ramon Nonato. He inquired if anybody knew a goodlooking meztizo whose name is Ramon Nonato who lived in the center of three streets. Nobody knew about the man as described by the nipa dealer. Thinking that the goodlooking meztizo took him for a ride, the nipa dealer decided to just go home. However, he saw a dilapidated nipa chapel in the middle of three roads (now known as Lakandula Drive, San Paulino Street and Santo Domingo Street) and decided to enter the chapel to rest for a while and possibly to pray. When he entered the chapel, lo and behold! The man who talked to him looked exactly the same as the statue! He recognized the man as San Ramon Nonato!

Touched by the obvious and heartrending state of the chapel, the nipa dealer from Bangquerohan donated his nipa for the repair of the chapel.

Later on, the residents of Tagas built a chapel of stone and mortar. The residents gathered stones, boulders and rocks from the Yawa River. This river passes through Tagas. The altar where the image of San Ramon was ensconced was made of lime. During WWII, this chapel was bombed but the altar was spared from destruction. The area was made into a Japanese garrison during the war.

I already related somewhere in this blog that during the war, the image of San Ramon was brought by my grandfather's family to Basud when they were hiding from the Japanese invaders. That saved the precious image from destruction.

The altar of the new church

After liberation, the people of Tagas rebuilt their beloved ermita. In the whole parish of Daraga, it was said that the most beautiful chapel was that of Tagas. However, typhoon Sisang destroyed the simple yet beautiful chapel. It was in a sorry state of dilapidation for several years until the new Tagas Church was built in late 1990's through the generosity of the people of Tagas, sponsors and donors. The construction of the Church was spearheaded by the then Tagas Chapel Committee headed by Dr. Sonia M. Gelbolingo and with full support from then Bgy. Chairman Wilfredo Boy Mayor and the barangay council.

Little by little, the new and modern Church was built and consecrated to God during the Jubilee year 2000. Now, Tagas is a quasi-parish with a resident priest and soon to be erected as a parish in the diocese of Legazpi.

Images of San Ramon Nonato in Tagas, Daraga, Albay

2009-08-31T03:34:00.001-07:00

Bgy. Tagas in Daraga, Albay is now a quasi-parish and, God willing, soon to be a parish in the Diocese of Legazpi to be known as San Ramon Nonato Parish.

In its history, Tagas has already had four images of San Ramon Nonato. In this article, I will endeavor to provide a brief historical background about each image for posterity.

The First Image

The first or the original image of San Ramon Nonato has been venerated in Tagas since time immemorial. The image, reputed to be miraculous, depicts San Ramon with clearly Hispanic features. He appears as if newly shaven.
The statue of San Ramon is exquisitely sculpted, with beautiful face. San Ramon's countenance is serene, with a rather serious smile. The image shows San Ramon with his attributes - a monstrance on his right hand and a palm on his left. The right hand of San Ramon carrying a monstrance is detachable. In the past when caesarian section was not very common, pregnant women , pregnant women and midwives borrow San Ramon's hand and and place it on the abdomen or stomach of a woman for a safe and successful delivery.
As in colonial religious art, San Ramon's halo is directly pricked on his tonsured head. The monstrance, palm and halo are all made of silver.

The original image of San Ramon was brought all the way from Spain by Spanish missionaries. It was bequeathed to the residents of Tagas, Daraga, Albay together with the images of San Juan Evangelista and San Pedro Apostol. The images of these two saints used to be borne in procession together with that of San Ramon. These two images are now in private possession of their custodians.
The people of Tagas chose San Ramon as their patron saint. They wanted for their patron one who is invoked as patron of expectant mothers and protector of the unborn. San Ramon proved to be more. He is also the protector of the people of Tagas from volcanic eruption, typhoons and pestilence.
During World War II, the image was rescued from the chapel by the family of my late grandfather Servando Llasos and brought it to Basud to safeguard it from the Japanese invaders.
The original image of San Ramon Nonato was venerated in Tagas Chapel until 1991, when after some controversy over its ownership, was ordered by then parish priest of Daraga to be brought out of the chapel and its custody given to claimant Isidora Apuli Marfil. Now, the original image is kept in the residence of Mrs. Marfil in a chapel beside Tagas Church.

The Second Image

The second image of San Ramon Nonato was commissioned in 1991. It was venerated in Tagas Chapel until sometime in 1996 when it was stolen. Thieves thought it to be original antique image. Only the monstrance carried by San Ramon was left when the image was stolen.

The second image depicts a youthful San Ramon, with a rather rotund face. Instead of carrying a palm leaf, its left hand carried what seemed like a candle stand. I have no picture of this image.

The Third Image

When the second image was stolen, a picture of San Ramon was placed in the altar. It is a picture of San Ramon that can be usually seen in the novenas to the saint. It shows San Ramon with a long flowing beard.

The third image was donated by the Infantado family of Tagas. This image is a depiction of San Ramon based on the portrait that appears in the novenas. San Ramon is shown with a long beard. I also have no picture of this image.

The Fourth Image

The present image of San Ramon venerated in Tagas Church was commissioned in time for the dedication of the Church in the Jubilee Year 2000. It is now the official image or statue of San Ramon. It is enthroned in the side altar of San Ramon Nonato Church in Tagas, Daraga, Albay.

Below are some pictures of the statue of San Ramon.

Original and Miraculous Image of San Ramon Nonato in Tagas, Daraga, Albay

2009-08-31T03:16:00.000-07:00

Original and Miraculous Image of San Ramon Nonato in Tagas, Daraga, Albay

The centuries-old original image of San Ramon Nonato venerated in Tagas, Daraga, Albay. The miraculous statue is noted for its exquisite craftsmanship and beauty. So far, I have not seen a statue or image of San Ramon as beautiful as this one. Truly a priceless treasure.

Atty. Marwil Nacor Llasos, beloved son of Tagas, Daraga, Albay, enthrones the original and miraculous image of San Ramon Nonato in its pedestal last 29 August 2009. The saint's feast is August 31.

Marwil N. Llasos, ardent devotee of San Ramon Nonato carrying the image of the saint. Beside him is Mrs. Isidora Apuli Marfil, custodian of the image.

The original and miraculous image of San Ramon Nonato used to be venerated in Tagas Chapel until 1991. It is now kept in the residence of Mrs. Isidora A. Marfil, the image's custodian and erstwhile hermana mayor of Tagas. Safe and successful delivery of pregnant women is said to be obtained by the most powerful intercession of San Ramon Nonato, the patron of expectant mothers and protector of the unborn.

San Ramon

2009-06-07T08:07:00.000-07:00

This is the picture taken of the original miraculous image of San Ramon Nonato, patron saint of Tagas, Daraga, Albay when it stayed in the house of the late Mama Bitang (my grandpa's spinster sister. With me is my sister May. San Ramon is at the background. Photo was taken in 1991.

San Ramon Nonato Church

2009-05-01T00:57:00.001-07:00

San Ramon Nonato Church
Tagas, Daraga, Albay

Ipamibi mo cami sa Dios,
parasurog ming San Ramon!!!

San Ramon, ipamibi mo cami!

The San Ramon Nonato Church in Tagas, Daraga, Albay was dedicated to God in the year 2000 during the Great Jubilee.

Originally, the San Ramon Church was a concrete chapel known as the Tagas Chapel which was destroyed by Typhoon Sisang in 1987.

However, through the efforts of the faithful of Tagas, Daraga, Albay, the Church was built in honor of our beloved patron Saint for the glory of God.

Now, San Ramon is a quasi-parish, which, God-willing, will soon be a parish.

In the San Ramon Church is venerated the replica of San Ramon Nonato. The original miraculous image of San Ramon can be found in a small side chapel in the Marfil residence nearby.

Photo credit: http://theblogwrites.blogspot.com/2009/04/bisita-eglesia.html

About St. Raymond Nonnatus, Conessor

2008-10-14T21:49:00.000-07:00

Yet you drew me forth from my mother’s womb
Upon you, I was thrust from the womb,
Since birth you are my God.
Psalm 22:10, NAB

… The Lord called me from birth
From my mother’s womb
He gave me my name.
Isaiah 49:1, NAB

SAINT RAYMOND NONNATUS
(San Ramon Nonato)
Confessor (1)
Feast Day: August 31

By: Bro. Marwil Nacor Llasos

SAINT RAYMOND NONNATUS (in Spanish, San Ramon Nonato) was born in 1204 (2) in the Diocese of Urgel in Catalonia, Spain. He was called “Nonnatus” (from the Latin non natus) meaning “not born,” because of his unusual birth. He was taken from the side of his mother who died many hours before his delivery. Because of his miraculous birth by caesarian section, he is universally invoked as patron of midwives, and more importantly, as patron of expectant mothers or women in labor, and as protector of the unborn.
St. Raymond was of noble but poor family. At an early age, he showed traits of piety and great talent. Motherless from infancy, in his childhood he seemed to find pleasure only in his devotions and serious duties. He chose the Blessed Virgin for his mother, almost as soon as the light of reason made this choice available to him.

His father, perceiving in him an inclination to the religious state and unwilling to give up his son, took him from school and sent him to take care of a farm which he owned in the country. Raymond readily obeyed; however, he manifested a deep desire to enter religious life. In order to enjoy holy solitude, kept the sheep himself and spent his time in the mountains and forests in holy meditation and prayer. He found there an ancient hermitage containing a portrait of his Blessed Mother, and made this his asylum. There the devil found him and, assuming the disguise of a shepherd, attempted to turn him away from his devotions; but Raymond turned his back on his visitor and called Mary to his assistance. The sole name of the Mother of God caused the demon to disappear, and the hermit prostrated himself and blessed her for her assistance.
It has been said that from the time St. Raymond was very young, he manifested a great devotion to the Most Holy Virgin. He prayed the Rosary every day in the hermitage of St. Nicholas of Mira. Once Our Lady appeared to him and promised him her protection. Afterward he was strongly tempted to sin against chastity, but did not fall. He went to thank his Patroness and consecrated his virginity to her. Mary appeared to him again, showing her satisfaction and advising him to enter the Order of the Mercedarians, whose foundation she had inspired St. Peter Nolasco to make only shortly before, in 1218.

Later on, his father gave him permission to take the habit of the Mercedarians at Barcelona, at the hands of St. Peter Nolasco, the founder of the Mercedarian Order (or the Order of Our Lady of Mercy).

The Mercedarian Order was founded in 1218 by St. Peter Nolasco, upon the encouragement and assistance of his confessor, St. Raymond of Peñafort, and with the protection of King James of Aragon. The Order was a congregation organized for the purpose of caring for the sick in hospitals, and also for rescuing Christian captives from the hands of the Moors.
St. Raymond made such progress in the religious life that he was soon considered worthy to succeed St. Peter Nolasco in the office of ransomer. He was one of the most illustrious members of the Order. In fact, he was the most famous of the monks who gave themselves up to the work of ransoming the captives.

It was at the request of St. Raymond Nonnatus, presented by St. Peter Nolasco, that Pope Gregory IX granted a Bull of Confirmation in 1230 approving the Order and prescribing the Rule of St, Augustine, which then formed part of the Order’s constitutions in 1235.

As ransomer, St. Raymond Nonnatus was sent to Algiers in North Africa to work for the release of Christian captives from the moors. He already liberated 140 captives in Valencia, 250 in Urgel, and 28 in Tunis. Indeed he liberated many captives, but when the money failed, he gave himself as a hostage in exchange for the other captives. Thus, St. Raymond had the occasion to fulfill the special fourth vow of the Mercedarians to offer themselves to remain in captivity in the place of Catholic prisoners. Since he was unable to pay the ransom demanded by the slave dealers in Tunis, Raymond offered himself to take the place of some prisoners.
His own captivity did not force him to give up his concerns for others. He did not waiver in his commitment to practice charity for his fellowmen, even with the threat of his death. He was zealous in teaching the Christian religion and made many converts to the Faith. This embittered the Mohammedan authorities. St. Raymond Nonnatus was subjected to horrible kinds of indignities and cruelty. He was made to suffer unspeakable tortures. He was forced to run the gauntlet and was at last sentenced to impalement.

However, the expectation of getting a great sum of money as ransom caused the Mohammedan governor to commute the death sentence to imprisonment. But, in order to prevent him from preaching Our Lord Jesus Christ to the captives as well as to the Moors, his lips were pierced with a red-hot iron and closed with a padlock! Thus, St. Raymond is invoked by persons who are falsely accused.

When St. Raymond was himself ransomed, he returned to Barcelona, Spain. After his arrival in Spain in 1239, at the age of 35, he was made a cardinal by Pope Gregory IX. In the next year, he was called to Rome by the Pope, but he died on his way when he was seized with a violent fever. He only came as far as Cardona, just about six miles from Barcleona, where he died on August 31, 1240. He was only around 36 (3) years old when he went to the Lord to receive his eternal reward. His body was brought to the chapel of St. Nicholas in his old farm.

St. Raymond’s life was resplendent in faith, hope and charity. He had a great dedication to Christ and His Church. He completely trusted in the Lord and has a deep concern for the welfare of his fellowmen. In 1657, Pope Alexander VII placed his name in the Roman Martyrology (4).

St. Raymond Nonnatus joins the ranks of the greatest saints whose lives were beautiful songs of praise to God for they glorified God in everything they said and did.

Now that St. Raymond Nonnatus enjoys the beatific vision, he never ceases to intercede for those who invoke his aid. He is invoked as protector of the unborn and patron saint of expectant mothers, midwives and persons who are falsely accused.

The Church celebrates his Memorial on August 31.

“O God, by Whose grace Blessed Raymond, Thy Confessor, wrought wonders in the redemption of Thy faithful people from the hands of wicked men; grant, we beseech Thee, by his intercession, that being loosed from the bondage of our sins, we may, with minds set free, do always what is pleasing unto Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.”

St. Raymond Nonnatus, Confessor, pray for us!

Sources:

1. Francis Marshman, St. Raymond Nonnatus, The New Catholic Encyclopedia, accessed through .

2. Camillus Beccari, Beatification and Canonization, The New Catholic Encyclopedia, accessed through .

3. Internet Sources:

http://www.traditioninaction.org/SOD/j144sd_RaymondNonnatus_8- 31.shtml
http://www.magnificat.ca/cal/engl/08-31.htm

Footnote:

(1) A Confessor is one who died peacefully after a life of heroic virtue. In the beginning, the title of “confessor” was given to those who confessed Christ when examined in the presence of the enemies of the Faith, or those who died peacefully after having confessed the Faith before tyrants or other enemies of the Christian religion, and undergone tortures or suffered other punishments. Later on, confessors were those who had lived a holy life and closed it by a holy death in Christian peace. (Cf. Camillus Beccari, Beatification and Canonization, The New Catholic Encyclopedia, accessed through .

(2) St. Raymond Nonnatus may have been born either in 1200 or 1204.

(3) Or 37 years.

(4) St. Raymond’s canonization was one of “equivalent canonization,” not “formal canonization.”

(5) Formal canonization occurs when the cultus is prescribed as an explicit and definitive decision, after due judicial process and the usual ceremonies in such cases. Equivalent canonization, like that of St. Raymond Nonnatus, occurs when the Pope, omitting the judicial process and the ceremonies, orders a Servant of God to be venerated in the Universal Church. This happens when a saint has been from a remote period the object of veneration, when his heroic virtues (or martyrdom) and miracles are related by reliable historian and the fame of his miraculous intercession is uninterrupted. Equivalent canonization consists usually in the ordering of an Office and Mass by the Pope in honor of the saint. However, mere enrollment in the Roman Martyrology does not by any means imply this honor. (Cf. Benedict XIV, De Servorum Dei Beatificatione et Beatorum Cnonizatione, 1, c. xliii, no. 14, cited by Camillus Beccari in Beatification and Canonization, The New Catholic Encyclopedia, accessed through ).

The name of St. Raymond Nonnatus was placed in the Roman Martyrology by Pope Alexander VII in 1657. An Office and a Mass were also ordered in his honor. Moreover, the appendix to the Roman Ritual gives a formula for the blessing of water, in honor of St. Raymond, to be used by the sick. Another formula for the blessing of candles in his honor is also included in the appendix to the Roman Ritual. (Cf. Francis Marshman, St. Raymond Nonnatus, The New Catholic Encyclopedia, accessed through ).

SAN RAMON NONATO is the patron saint of TAGAS, DARAGA, ALBAY.

San Ramon, my favorite patron Saint

2008-10-11T06:12:00.000-07:00

Marwil N. Llasos is the favorite son of Tagas, Daraga, Albay. Born to a devout and traditional Catholic family, Marwil was baptized on August 31, 1975 on the feast day of San Ramon Nonato, patron saint of his beloved barangay. He grew up in a devout traditional Catholic family with strong devotion to the saint. From his childhood, he joined the processions of the saint and even pulled his carriage. When he was a young boy, the hermana mayor tasked him with carrying the original statue of San Ramon from the altar to the carriage and vice versa at times when two or three men could not lift the image of the saint from where it was.

From his grandparents (Servando and Benita), Marwil listened to tales of San Ramon’s miracles in the barangay. He also learned that his grandfather served as the custodian and guardian of the image of San Ramon during World War II. During the Japanese occupation, his grandfather gallantly saved the image from destruction at the hands of the invaders and evacuated it to Basud where during the dark years of the war, San Ramon’s feast was simply but solemnly kept. The ever-grateful saint, San Ramon saved the Llasos family during the war.

Marwil’s mother, Marichu, made a novena to San Ramon during her pregnancy. When she was about to give birth, she had a difficult labor and the baby was in danger of dying because the umbilical cord tied the baby’s neck. But because of the powerful intercession of San Ramon, the baby was safely born. He was christened on August 31, the feast day of this wonderful saint.

Marwil continues to have a strong devotion to San Ramon. He wishes to promote the devotion to this glorious saint to others especially in our present time. He believes that devotion to San Ramon is particularly needed now when anti-life forces are at work. San Ramon is a pro-life saint. Isn’t he the patron of expectant mothers and the unborn? San Ramon was a ransomer of Christian captives held by Muslims. In fact, he himself was held captive. Now that there are many Christians – priests included – are held captive by terrorists in many parts of the world, specifically in southern Philippines – we all need to pray for their redemption. San Ramon is definitely the most ideal prayer partner for that intention.

Little known is the fact that San Ramon is also the patron saint of those who are falsely accused. Victims of libel, gossip, calumny and malicious accusations may call upon San Ramon to pray for them for the vindication of their honor and reputation that have been unjustly tarnished.

2008-10-11T06:09:00.002-07:00

Plegaria a San Ramón NonatoPatrón de las madres

Apreciada amiga: si estás a punto de ser madre, puedes aprovechar estos días tan felices que preceden al nacimiento de tu hijo rezando a tu patrón, nuestro buen amigo San Ramón Nonato, a quien se le considera el protector de todas las embarazadas. A San Ramón se le otorgan muchos milagros y mucha protección. Deseo que él te acompañe espiritualmente de todo corazón. Por cierto... al final te he adjuntado otra plegaria de acción de gracias para rezarla una vez haya nacido tu "tarzán".

Forma de rezarla: la plegaria que te ofrezco a continuación sirve para rezarla tantas veces como quieras. Muchas personas la utilizan como si fuera una novena, de allí que la puedas orar durante 9 días seguidos.

Plegaria a San Ramón Nonato

Preparación inicial

En el nombre del Padre y del hijo y del Espíritu Santo. Amén. Prepara mi corazón, Señor, para este rato de oración. Celebro con gozo a San Ramón Nonato ya que él te amó y fue fiel al Evangelio. Él vivió intensamente el seguimiento de Jesús, y le dedicó toda su vida. Él es el modelo de todas las cristianas y especialmente para mi porque estoy a punto de dar a luz. Por este motivo, ya que San Ramón es el patrono de todas aquellas que van a ser madres, imploro su intercesión ante vos, Señor. Haz que su memoria sea para mi estímulo de fidelidad a ti.

Oh Señor, Padre de bondad, Vos me habéis hecho el inmenso beneficio de engendrar a un hijo. Te doy las gracias por haberme hecho partícipe de vuestra paternidad en dar la existencia de un nuevo ser. Mientras espero su parto, vengo a pedirte tu protección por intercesión de mi abogado San Ramón Nonato, a fin que este fruto de mis entrañas pueda llegar felizmente a la luz de la vida. Así lo espero por los méritos infinitos de Nuestro Señor Jesucristo, vuestro Hijo y los de su Madre Santísima, la Virgen María.

Oración a San Ramón:

A tí acudo, glorioso San Ramón, en estos días que preceden a mi maternidad, implorando de tu mediación la gracia de un parto feliz que, satisfaciendo plenamente mis deseos, sea un premio a mis esperanzas. Por Cristo nuestro Señor. Amén.

Lectura del Evangelio:

“En aquel tiempo, presentaron a Jesús unos niños para que los tocara, pero los discípulos les regañaban. Al verlo, Jesús se enfadó y les dijo: “Dejad que los niños se acerquen a mí: no se lo impidáis; de los que son como ellos es el Reino de Dios. Os aseguro que el que no acepte el Reino de Dios como un niño, no entrará en él.” Y los abrazaba y los bendecía imponiéndoles las manos” (Evangelio de San Marcos 10: 13-16).

Súplica a Maria. Nuestra Madre:

Virgen María, ahora que voy a ser Madre como fuiste tú, dame un corazón semejante al tuyo, firme en sus afectos e inquebrantables en su fidelidad. Un corazón afectuoso que irradie ternura serena y no rehúse entregarse a los demás. Un corazón delicado capaz de poner amor en los pequeños detalles y en los humildes servicios. Un corazón casto sin mancharse de torpezas, abierto de par en par, que se goce con el gozo de los demás. Un corazón dulce y bueno que no condene a nadie y que no se canse nunca de perdonar y de amar.

Oración final

Oh Dios, que manifestasteis de forma admirable vuestro amor a vuestro siervo San Ramón Nonato llevándolo a la vida de una forma maravillosa y lo constituisteis como protector de las que vamos a ser madres; por sus méritos e intercesión os suplico que la nueva vida que habéis hecho germinar en mi venga felizmente a aumentar el número de vuestros hijos. Por Cristo Nuestro Señor. Amén.

Se acompaña con un Padrenuestro, una Ave María y un Gloria).

Oración de acción de gracias para después del nacimiento del hijo

Querida amiga: después del nacimiento de tu hijo, puedes dar las gracias al Señor y a San Ramón Nonato. Verás que dicha plegaria está en plural para que pueda ser rezada junto a tu amado esposo.

Te damos gracias, Señor, por esta hijo a que hemos recibido como un don de tu amor. Haz que seamos capaces de alimentarle, fortalecerle y educarle, de tal manera que sea plenamente miembro de la familia humana y en definitiva de la gran familia de Dios. Que, con nuestro ejemplo y nuestra palabra, aprenda que, si ha venido a este mundo, ha sido para llevar a cabo en él una misión de amor y de paz tal como lo hizo tu hijo Jesucristo. Te damos una vez más las gracias por mediación de San Ramón Nonato, nuestro protector. Que la intercesión que ha hecho nos ayude también a dar a nuestro hijo una santa educación inspirada en los valores cristianos. Contentos y agradecidos por el nacimiento de nuestro hijo/a, te dirigimos ahora aquella plegaria que tu hijo nos enseñó: Padre nuestro ....

Espero que San Ramón Nonato te proteja y recuerda que le puedes dejar tus mensajes, oraciones, peticiones o lo que más te salga del corazón en: El Libro de los Santos

Source: http://www.terra.es/personal/angerod/novramon.htm

Oracion a San Ramon

2008-10-11T06:06:00.001-07:00

Oración

San Ramón Nonato,/
tú que por predicar la palabra de Dios/
llevaste un candado en tu boca como martirio/
escucha mi oración e intercede ante Dios/
para que quienes hablan mal de mí/
cesen en su intento y yo sea protegido (a)/
de toda palabra e intención mala.
Amén.

Source: http://www.cronica.com.mx/nota.php?id_nota=167313

Oracion

Dios Todopoderoso, que concediste a san Ramón Nonato el ardiente deseo de liberar esclavos, te pedimos por su intercesión que nos apartemos siempre de la esclavitud del pecado que nos aleja de Ti.
Por Jesucristo, nuestro Señor. Amén.

Novena to St. Raymond

2008-10-11T06:01:00.000-07:00

Novena to St. Raymond Nonnatus
To Obtain Some Special Favor
especially effective from August 23 to 31

Glorious St. Raymond, filled with compassion for those who invoke thee, and with love for those who suffer heavily laden 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 (mention your intention).
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 all the saints praising and blessing to all eternity. Amen.

Good St. Raymond, pray for us and obtain our request (3x).

Pray 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, and 1 Glory be....

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

2008-10-11T05:57:00.000-07:00

Prayers to Saint Raymond Nonnatus

Patron of Childbirth, Children, Falsely Accused People, Fever, Infants, Midwives, Newborn Babies, Obstetricians, & Pregnant Women“

Lord, help us to remember that without You we can do nothing and with You all things are possible. May we, through Your grace and power and the intercession of St. Raymond, bring many souls to truth. We ask this in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.”

“O God, by Whose grace Blessed Raymund, Thy Confessor, wrought wonders in the redemption of Thy faithful people from the hands of wicked men; grant, we beseech Thee, by his intercession, that being loosed from the bondage of our sins, we may, with minds set free, do always what is pleasing unto Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.”

St. Raymond Nonnatus, Confessor

2008-10-11T05:54:00.000-07:00

The Biography of St. Raymond Nonnatus

St. Raymond Nonnatus, also known as Raymund Nonnatus, Raimundo Nonato, and San Romano, is the patron saint unborn children because he was delivered by cesarean after his mother died at Portella, Spain in 1204. Non natus is Latin for “not born.”

Of meager yet noble birth, Raymond was well educated in preparation for a career in the royal court of Aragon. When Raymond felt drawn to religious life, his father ordered him to manage one of the family farms. However, Raymond spent his time with the shepherds and workers, studying and praying until his father gave up the idea of making his son a worldly success.

Raymond became a priest and received the habit from St. Peter Nolasco, founder of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy for the Ransom of Captives, or the Mercedarians. The Mercedarians were founded in Barcelona in 1218 and devoted themselves to ransoming Christians captured by Moors.

The Mercedarians played an important role in the conversion the New World as Christopher Columbus brought some members of the Order of Mercy with him to America. They founded houses in Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and Ecuador, and took an active part in the conversion of the Indians.

Towards the end of the 18th century, the Mercedarians erected houses for the training of missionaries, and undertook elementary teaching at the beginning of the 19th century.

As a Mercedarian priest, Raymond made such progress in religious life that he was soon considered worthy to succeed his master, St. Peter Nolasco, in the office of ransomer. He was sent to Algiers and spent his entire estate ransoming Christians, even surrendering as a hostage himself in order to free another.

Raymond was zealous in teaching the Christian religion and made many converts, which embittered the Mohammedan authorities. Raymond was subjected to all kinds of indignities and cruelty, was made to run the gauntlet, and was sentenced to death by impalement.

The hope of a greater sum of money as ransom caused the governor to commute the sentence into imprisonment. While imprisoned, he still managed to convert some of his guards. To keep him from preaching the faith, his captors bored a hole through his lips with a hot iron, and attached a padlock. Eventually ransomed, Raymond returning to Barcelona in 1239, where he was made a cardinal by Gregory IX.

The following year, the pope called Raymond to Rome. He made it only as far as Cardona, about six miles from Barcelona, where he died of a fever on August 31st. He was 37 years old.

Raymond is buried at the chapel of Saint Nicholas in Cardona near the family farm his father wanted him to manage. St. Peter Nolasco founded a convent there in 1255, and St. Raymond’s relics still rest in that church.

Pope Urban VIII took the first public step towards canonization on November 5, 1625 by formally acknowledged the holiness of Raymond through cultus confirmation, or confirming the public cultus of a saint. This is a slightly different process than the modern formal beatification, although the person is referred to as “Blessed.”

Pope Alexander VII canonized St. Raymond in 1657. Because of his life as a priest, St. Raymond also is the patron of falsely accused people.

The Church celebrates his Memorial on August 31st.

Source: http://www.straymond.net/overview/raymond_nonnatus.html

Viva San Ramon!

2008-10-11T05:47:00.000-07:00

San Ramon Nonato

Decenas de candados de todos los tamaños, de distintos materiales y estilos; listones de colores se amontonan no en una ferretería o en la Casa Boker, sino en una capilla de la Catedral Metropolitana en honor a San Ramón Nonato; que defiende a los mortales de los chismes, intrigas y habladurías a los que somos tan afectos los mexicanos.

Un documento al pie de San Ramón, quien se yergue frente al órgano español de Catedral, afirma que éste es abogado de las mujeres embarazadas y “protector contra chismes, murmuraciones y falsos testimonios.”

Los candados se acompañan de cartas o notas escritas en hojas de papel bond o arrancadas de los cuadernos escolares de los hijos; hay cuadriculadas, doble raya o normales. En ellas se leen párrafos llenos de angustia ante la situación familiar, por ejemplo una escrita con bolígrafo de tinta azul casi ilegible por las muchas manos que llegan a leerla dice a la sazón: “Ramoncito, por favor te pido que le amarres la ira y la boca a F y S” (omitimos los nombres). U otra que dos mujeres seguramente ya hartas ante los chismes de otras dos escriben: “San Ramón, por favor, que mengana y perengana, ya nos dejen vivir en paz”.

Hay un escrito más que pasa del ámbito familiar al laboral y que expresa el temor de que por “chismes” se pierda el empleo: “Te pido de todo corazón me hagas el favor de callar (con “y” en el original) a los compañeros S, O y H, para que me dejen trabajar y pueda seguir conservando mi empleo.” Para el doctor Alberto Padilla, psicólogo e investigador del Departamento de Comunicación y Educación de la Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana Xochimilco (UAM-X), este fenómeno de acudir a los santos “representa un intento de enfrentar los problemas de la realidad.” La búsqueda de una “figura metahumana”, se da “cuando no está el padre o la madre que antes nos sacaban del apuro”, en opinión del también investigador. Las cartas que dejan los feligreses, por lo que oigo, reflejan mucha angustia,” agrega. En uno de los escritos “se observa una preocupación muy grande por perder el trabajo, sobre todo en familias que dependen totalmente de un salario. En una situación como la actual, quedarse sin entrada de dinero provoca mucha angustia ante el futuro.”

ORIGEN. San Ramón nació en Cataluña, España, en 1204. Su apelativo Nonato viene del hecho de que no nació de manera natural de su madre, sino mediante cesárea porque su progenitora murió durante el trabajo de parto. La tradición de ofrecer candados es muy antigua y tiene que ver con el hecho de que al Santo, perteneciente a la Orden Mercedaria, los musulmanes le hayan cerrado la boca, aunque por razones ajenas a los chismes. Precisamente la orden Mercedaria fue fundada por San Pedro Nolasco en el siglo XIII con el propósito de rescatar cristianos que habían sido secuestrados por los musulmanes.

Se cuenta que San Ramón Nonato en una ocasión se ofreció voluntariamente para ser canjeado por otro cristiano secuestrado. Pero estando en cautiverio el santo insistió en predicar y hacer alarde de su fe cristiana por lo que los musulmanes le cerraron la boca con una correa y sólo se la quitaban para que comiera. De ahí viene la tradición de los candados, pero no es todo. En el rito moderno se trata de dejar el artefacto cerrado y de depositar la llave en la alcancía del santo, de tal modo que nadie jamás pueda abrirlo. Pero también hay espacio en este culto para la autocrítica: refiere el documento que se muestra a un lado de San Ramón que “también es invocado por las personas que quieren guardar secretos, dejar de blasfemar, mentir o decir chismes.”

Algunos que se acercan a su capilla, como la señora Agustina Cuevas, platica que “el santo es muy milagroso, tanto para las parturientas, como contra las habladas. A mí, gracias a su ayuda , me dejaron de molestar. Ahora ha aumentado mucho la gente que lo viene a ver.”

A esa hora del mediodía en la nave principal de la Catedral Metropolitana el foco de atención de los feligreses está en dos cosas, en la misa y en San Ramón Nonato. “A San Ramoncito yo lo quiero porque nunca me ha fallado”, exclama la señora Laura Miranda. “Todo el chiste está en rezarle su oración”, interviene su marido, el señor Rodolfo Santa María.

En esta ocasión el matrimonio, que viene desde Tepepan, ha llevado un candado y una nota que sale un poco de contexto respecto de todas las demás que le escriben, pero que vale para ellos: “San Ramoncito, te pedimos se acepte la pensión para mis hijas”. Finalmente, en la historia de santos se refiere que San Pedro Nolasco pagó el rescate de San Ramón y éste volvió a España, donde murió en Barcelona en 1240.
A todas horas del día, la gente se arremolina frente a San Ramón, unos por curiosidad, algunos por morbo y otros más por devoción, aunque se paran frente al Santo que fue amordazado y oyen, leen o dan fe de los milagros.

Oración

San Ramón Nonato,/
tú que por predicar la palabra de Dios/
llevaste un candado en tu boca como martirio/
escucha mi oración e intercede ante Dios/
para que quienes hablan mal de mí/
cesen en su intento y yo sea protegido (a)/
de toda palabra e intención mala.
Amén.

Source: http://www.cronica.com.mx/nota.php?id_nota=167313

San Ramon Nonato

2008-10-11T05:39:00.000-07:00

San Ramon Nonato

En realidad no nació (por eso lo de Nonato) sino que fue extraído del cuerpo de su madre fallecida el día anterior, usando la daga de un cazador. Esto ocurre en Portell en la región de Lérida (España) en el año 1204.

Pertenecía a una familia acomodada.
En su juventud fue pastor, llevando su rebaño hasta una ermita donde se veneraba a la Virgen ya que era muy devoto de ella.

Oye hablar de Pedro Nolasco que busca corazones generosos para formar la Orden de los Caballeros de la Merced para rescatar cristianos cautivos en manos de los musulmanes, expuestos a las miserias del cautiverio y el peligro de la apostasía. Ingresa a dicha orden.
Para redimir los cautivos de los moros, los compra. La primera vez que va a Africa libera a 150 y la segunda a 200. Al acabarse el dinero se ofrece él mismo en rescate de un prisionero, siendo sometido a duros trabajos. Es torturado por predicar el evangelio a los bereberes. Fue liberado y vuelve a Barcelona. El papa Gregorio lo nombra cardenal. En 1240 muere.
Patrono
De la región de Cataluña.
Protector
De los esclavos, de las embarazadas y de las obras eucarísticas.
Identificativo principal
La custodia eucarística (ya que un ángel le dio la comunión) y la palma de los mártires con 3 coronas que evocan : la posición que dejó, la libertad que despreció y la púrpuras cardenalicias que no quiso vestir.
Identificativo secundario
Las monedas con que libera a los cautivos
Fecha litúrgica:
31 de agosto

Oracion

Dios Todopoderoso, que concediste a san Ramón Nonato el ardiente deseo de liberar esclavos, te pedimos por su intercesión que nos apartemos siempre de la esclavitud del pecado que nos aleja de Ti.
Por Jesucristo, nuestro Señor. Amén.

Source: http://www.sagradoweb.com/santos/santo.php?id=2

St. Raymond Nonnatus, Confessor

2008-10-09T07:14:00.000-07:00

Nuestra Señora de la Merced, ruega por nosotros...

Saint Raymond Nonnatus, Confessor

“Blessed are those disciples whom the Lord, when He cometh, shall find watching: Amen I say to you that He will gird Himself and make them sit down to meat, and passing will minister unto them. And if He sahll come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants” (Luke 12: 37-38).

Saint Raymond Nonnatus was one of three Founders of the Order of Our Lady of Mercy along with Saint Peter Nolasco and Saint Raymond of Pennafort. St. Raymund Nonnatus journeyed to northern Africa where he eventually gave himself up to the infidel Mohammedans in order to ransom a Christian from certain death. Pope Gregory IX made St. Raymond a cardinal upon his triumphant return to Rome, but he died soon after in 1240 A.D. He is often invoked for the liberation of prisoners and prayed to for intercession for those held in bondage to satan and his wiles.

“O God, by Whose grace Blessed Raymund, Thy Confessor, wrought wonders in the redemption of Thy faithful people from the hands of wicked men; grant, we beseech Thee, by his intercession, that being loosed from the bondage of our sins, we may, with minds set free, do always what is pleasing unto Thee. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen.”

Source: http://www.magnificat.ca/cal/engl/08-31.htm

St. Raymond Nonnatus, Mercedarian

2008-10-09T07:10:00.000-07:00

SAINT RAYMOND NONNATUS
Religious of Our Lady of Mercy and Cardinal
(1204-1240)

Saint Raymond Nonnatus was born in Catalonia, Spain, in the year 1204. Motherless from infancy, in his childhood he seemed to find pleasure only in his devotions and serious duties. He chose the Blessed Virgin for his mother, almost as soon as the light of reason made this choice available to him. His father, perceiving in him an inclination to the religious state and unwilling to give up his son, took him from school and sent him to take care of a farm which he owned in the country. Raymond readily obeyed, and, in order to enjoy holy solitude, kept the sheep himself and spent his time in the mountains and forests in holy meditation and prayer. He found there an ancient hermitage containing a portrait of his Blessed Mother, and made this his asylum. There the devil found him and, assuming the disguise of a shepherd, attempted to turn him away from his devotions; but Raymond turned his back on his visitor and called Mary to his assistance. The sole name of the Mother of God caused the demon to disappear, and the hermit prostrated himself and blessed Her for Her assistance.

Some time afterward, he joined the new Order of Our Lady of Mercy for the redemption of captives, and was admitted to profession at Barcelona by the holy founder, Saint Peter Nolasco. Within two or three years after his profession, he was sent into Barbary with a considerable sum of money; in Algiers he purchased the liberty of a great number of slaves. When all his treasure was exhausted, he gave himself up as a hostage for the ransom of others, according to the Rule of his Order. This magnanimous sacrifice served only to exasperate the Moslems, who treated him with uncommon barbarity, until they began to fear that if he died in their hands, they would lose the ransom which had been asked for his deliverance. A crier announced in the streets that anyone who mistreated him would answer for it, if he died.

Therefore he was permitted to go abroad in the streets, which liberty he utilized to comfort and encourage the Christians in chains, and to convert and baptize certain Moslems. Learning of this, their pasha, furious, condemned him to be impaled, but his barbarous sentence was commuted at the insistence of those who had an interest in the ransom payments for the slaves he was replacing. He underwent instead a cruel bastinade, but that torment did not daunt his courage. So long as he saw souls in danger of perishing eternally, he thought he had yet done nothing.

Saint Raymond had no more money to employ in releasing poor captives; and to converse with those of the local beliefs on the subject of religion meant death. He enjoyed sufficient liberty nonetheless to continue the same endeavors, and he did so, hoping either for success or martyrdom. The governor, enraged, ordered our Saint to have his lips pierced and padlocked, then to be imprisoned until his ransom would be brought by members of his Order. He remained in jail for eight months before his brethren arrived with the required sum, sent by Saint Peter Nolasco.

Upon his return to Spain, he was nominated Cardinal by Pope Gregory IX, and the Pope called him to Rome. The Saint was on his way, but had gone no farther than Cardona when he was seized with a violent fever. He died on August 31, 1240, in his thirty-seventh year. His face in death became beautiful and radiant like that of Moses when he descended from the mountaintop, where he had spoken with God. A heavenly fragrance surrounded his body, and cures were effected on behalf of those who came and touched him.

Reflection: This magnanimous Saint gave not only his substance but his liberty, and exposed himself to the most cruel torments and death for the redemption of captives and the salvation of souls. But we, alas! do we not, merely to gratify our prodigality, vanity, or avarice, refuse to give even the superfluity of our possessions to the poor, who for want of it are perishing with cold and hunger? Let us not forget the terrible Judgment of the Last Day, awaiting those who neglect their brethren in need (Cf. Matt. 25:31-46).

Source: http://www.magnificat.ca/cal/engl/08-31.htm

Viva, San Ramon!!!

2008-10-09T07:06:00.000-07:00

Ipamibi mo kami sa Dios
Parasurog ming San Ramon!

Pray for us to God,
Our protector Saint Raymond!

San Ramon Nonato

2008-10-09T07:03:00.000-07:00

San Ramon Nonato

San Ramon was born in the 13th century in the city of Portell, in the province of Lérida, in Spain. His mother died before he was born, and he was then delivered by caesarian section, cut out of her dead body in a spontaneous emergency operation performed by the Viscount of Cardona with a dagger he carried in his belt. He is thus evoked by women who pray for an easy childbirth. The name “Nonato” means “The Unborn.”

As a youth, he became a shepherd in the employ of a group of monks at an old Roman hermitage dedicated to San Nicolás, where the Virgen María was venerated, and he became, himself, a devout servant of la Santa Madre de Jesús.
While still a young man, he joined the Orden de la Merced, which was an order which raised money to go to North Africa and pay the ransom for Christians who were being held there. While on one such mission, he was found, by the Muslim authorities, to be preaching and attempting to gain converts to Christianity. The local ruler warned him that he must stop, or else he would be punished. A zealous preacher, he continued, and was arrested. In order to literally shut him up, his lips were perforated and a padlock was installed, which was later removed when they put him on a ship back to Spain.

For this last reason, he has become a very popular saint in Mexico, where people appeal to him by way of a spell designed to shut up gossips. In this, one acquires and image of the saint, along with a red votive candle. One prays the prayer to him which one finds on the back of his prayer card or his votive candles, and then one asks him to shut up a particular gossip or group of gossips, and then one takes chewing gum and uses it to press a coin over his mouth. One lights the candle and sets it next to the image on ones altar (this is what curanderas do) or else one sets it in some place where it will not be disturbed.

Source: http://ojinaga.com/storeitems/santos/ramon1.html

Comments of Prof. Plinio Correa de Oliveira on San Ramon Nonato

2008-10-09T07:01:00.000-07:00

Comments of Prof. Plinio Correa de Oliveira:

The life of St. Raymond Nonnatus is a life filled with extraordinary facts. Among them, let me note first the sign Our Lady gave him that led him to the Order of the Mercedarians.

Second, you can see that the epopee of his action in the redemption of slaves reached its apex with his offer to deliver himself as a slave to ransom Catholic prisoners.

Third, consider the torment he suffered of having a padlock perforating his lips. Imagine the enormous pain and discomfort of having a padlock cutting through one’s lips even in sleep. Think how this would bother a man and disturb his nervous system! Then, each time that he had to eat, a Moor would come and open the padlock, breaking the wounds anew and causing new sufferings. Closing it would produce additional torments. Was he allowed to drink water during the day? Can you imagine the discomfort of drinking anything in this situation? He endured this life for the period of eight months.

What did he do when he was freed? Did he have a psychological breakdown? Become discouraged? Feel sorry for himself? No. He took an extraordinarily manly attitude and returned to a life of intense activity. You see how he resisted the temptations to feel sorry for himself and stop fighting for the Catholic cause. His attitude demanded a highly supernatural spirit and a strong virile personality. You see the astonishing fortitude of soul such a man had. He returned and continued an active life for another ten years or so.

He traveled throughout Europe as an ambassador of the Pope and a preacher of the Crusade. What a powerful impression the word of his sermons delivered by his wounded lips must have made on the people!

He was a character worthy to preach a Crusade. You understand why the Crusades were so well accepted in the Middle Ages when you know that men like St. Raymond Nonnatus preached them. Their audiences accepted the great sacrifice of going on the Crusades following the examples of the sacrifice of the Saints that preached them.

Imagine such a scene. St. Raymond Nonnatus arriving in a city; the bells ringing and the word spreading that Fr. Raymond – the one with the wounded lips – is in town to preach a Crusade on behalf of the Pope. All the nobles and people of the area gather around with their families and he begins to speak.

He speaks about the meaning of the Sepulcher of Our Lord Jesus Christ and what its profanation represents. How it is necessary to re-conquer it for the glory of God and Catholic honor. He speaks with the voice and prestige of a saint, with the supernatural power of communication that only the saints have.

The hearts of the knights begin to be touched, the ladies weep and give their consent for their husbands to go and fight for the Holy Land. Everyone goes to Confession and the date of the Crusade is announced. The practical preparations start. All this happens because a saint passes through that area.

This imaginary scene may help you to understand what the Middle Ages was. The influence of the saints and the good reception the people gave them is what really explains why the Middle Ages had so many wonderful things and our epoch does not. The key is the presence of the saints and the openness people had for them. How few saints there are today! Knowing this, we understand the tragedy of the contemporary situation of the Church and the world.

Let us ask St. Raymond Nonnatus to give us more saints to regenerate the Church and the world, and make the modern man recognize them and be receptive to their message.

Source: Prof. Plinio Corrêa de Oliveira
available at
http://www.traditioninaction.org/SOD/j144sd_RaymondNonnatus_8-31.shtml

St. Raymond Nonnatus, August 31

2008-10-09T06:58:00.000-07:00

St. Raymond Nonnatus was born in Portella in the Diocese of Urgel, Catalonia, around the year 1203. He received the name of Raymond at his Baptism and the nickname of Nonnatus [non natus in Latin means not born] because he was not born normally, but was delivered by a caesarian operation. His father was a shepherd according to some, and a member of the noble family of Cardona, according to others.

From the time he was very young, he manifested a great devotion to the Most Holy Virgin. He prayed the Rosary every day in the hermitage of St. Nicholas of Mira. Once Our Lady appeared to him and promised him her protection. Afterward he was strongly tempted to sin against chastity, but did not fall. He went to thank his Patroness and consecrated his virginity to her. Mary appeared to him again, showing her satisfaction and advising him to enter the Order of the Mercedarians, whose foundation she had inspired St. Peter Nolasco to make only shortly before, in 1218.

He was ordained a priest and dedicated himself to the redemption of captives until 1231. He liberated 140 captives in Valencia, 250 in Argel, and 28 in Tunis. It was in this last city that he had the occasion to fulfill the special fourth vow of the Mercedarians to offer themselves to remain in captivity in the place of Catholic prisoners. Since he was unable to pay the ransom demanded by the slave dealers in Tunis, Raymond offered himself to take the place of some prisoners.

The trade was made, and he began a hard captivity. To prevent him from speaking about Our Lord, for his engaging words were converting numerous Muslims, the Arabian slave masters pierced his lips with a red-hot iron and closed them with a padlock. This padlock was only opened for him to eat. After eight months of this torment, other Mercedarians arrived from Spain bringing the demanded ransom.

The last ten years of his life were spent in Rome, where he became the representative of his Order and in traveling throughout different countries to preach the Crusade. As a cardinal representative of Pope Gregory IX he was sent to meet with St. Louis of France and encourage him to go on the Crusade, which actually took place 10 years later.

St. Raymond Nonnatus died in Cardona, a Spanish village close to Barcelona, on August 31, 1240. He was only 37-years-old.

Source: Prof. Plinio Correa de Oliveira, available at
http://www.traditioninaction.org/SOD/j144sd_RaymondNonnatus_8- 31.shtml

St. Raymon Nonnatus

2008-10-09T06:55:00.000-07:00

There was something unusual about Raymond Nonnatus. His very name proved it. "Nonnatus" means "Not born." Raymond's mother died while he was still in her womb; he was taken out of her dead body and survived.

Growing up in the fervor of 13th-century Spanish faith, this child of Catalonia was preoccupied with spiritual interests. His father feared to lose him to the church and sent him to tend sheep on a country farm. Raymond did not see this as a setback to his desires. Instead, he gladly fell in with the plan. It promised him opportunity to meditate. When he found a ruin that had once been occupied by hermits, he made it a chapel for his prayers and his wrestlings with Satan. However, the Virgin Mary, whom he had taken as a surrogate mother, was more in his thoughts than Christ.

Spain was partly controlled by Islamic Moors, who enslaved many Christians not only in Spanish provinces but across the Mediterranean in North Africa. Peter Nolasco founded the order of Mercedarians to assist Christian captives. His concern was that they not lose spiritual hope while suffering harsh captivity. Raymond found himself in sympathy with Peter's aims.

The Count of Cardona persuaded Raymond's father to allow his son to join the Mercedarians. Raymond made such spiritual progress in three years that he was sent to the Barbary Coast, North Africa, as an agent of the order to purchase slaves back from the Moors.

After using up all his money, Peter showed that the true spirit of Christ burned in him when he offered himself as a hostage so that other Christians might go free. He would be released when more ransom money came to pay for the freed slaves. The fact that he voluntarily took the place of badly treated slaves made the Moors furious. Perhaps it pricked their consciences. At any rate, they heaped cruel treatment on him. However, the men who were to profit from the ransom, urged restraint. They were afraid the hostage would die and they would never get paid.

Consequently, Raymond was given considerable freedom. He moved about, comforting other slaves. He also converted and baptized some Moors. This so angered the local Islamic ruler he ordered that Raymond be impaled. Had the order been carried out, Raymond would have been planted in the ground on the end of a sharp pole. Again the men waiting for their ransom money saved Raymond's life. However, he was severely beaten, and his lips were burned, pierced with holes and padlocked.

Finally the ransom arrived. Raymond wanted to remain in Barbary in order to ransom more captives, but his superior ordered him home. Pope Gregory IX was so impressed that he nominated Raymond to a cardinalship. The honor meant little to the saint. He continued to live as simply as ever. The Pope ordered him to Rome. Raymond set out. He had gone only six miles when he fell ill with fever in Cardona, Spain. On this day, August 31, 1240, Raymond breathed his last. Those who were privileged to tend him in his final moments said his face became as bright as an angel's.

Bibliography:

1.Baring-Gould, S. Lives of the Saints. Edinburgh: John Grant, 1914, source of image.
2.Butler, Alban. Lives of the Saints. Various editions.
3.Mershman, Francis. "St. Raymond Nonnatus." The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton, 1914.
4."Raymond Nonnatus, St." The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. Edited by F. L. Cross and E. A. Livingstone. Oxford, 1997.
5.Various internet articles.

Source:
http://chi.gospelcom.net/DAILYF/2002/08/daily-08-31-2002.shtml

St. Raymond Nonnatus

2008-10-09T06:52:00.000-07:00

Also known as

Raymund Nonnatus; Raimundo Nonato; Ramon Nonato

Memorial

31 August

Profile

Spanish nobility. Well educated, his father planned a career for Raymond in the royal court in Aragon. When Raymond felt drawn to religious life, his father ordered him to manage one of the family farms. However, Raymond spent his time with the shepherds and workers, studying and praying until his father gave up the idea of making his son a wordly success.

Mercedarian priest, receiving the habit from Saint Peter Nolasco, the order's founder. Master-general of Mercedarian Order. Spent his entire estate ransoming Christians, then surrended as a hostage to free another. Sentenced to death by impalement, he was spared because of his large ransom value. Imprisoned and tortured, he still managed to convert some of his guards. To keep him from preaching the faith, his captors bored a hole through his lips with a hot iron, and attached padlock. Eventually ransomed, returning to Barcelona in 1239.

Created cardinal by Pope Gregory IX, Raymond continued to live as a mendicant monk. He died while en route to Rome to answer a papal summons.

Born

1204 at Portella, diocese of Urgel, Catalonia, Spain

Died

31 August 1240 at Cardona, Spain of a fever; buried at the chapel of Saint Nicholas near his family farm he was supposed to manage

Canonized

5 November 1625 by Pope Urban VIII (cultus confirmed); 1657 by Pope Alexander VII (canonized)

Name Meaning

not born (= non-natus) as he was delivered by ceasarian

Patronage

Baltoa, Dominican Republic
childbirth
children
expectant mothers
falsely accused people
fever
infants
midwives
newborn babies
obstetricians
pregnant women

Representation

Mercedarian surrounded by Moors and prisoners; Mercedarian surrounded by ransomed slaves; Mercedarian with a cardinal's red hat; Mercedarian with a padlock on his lips

Source: http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintr09.htm

San Ramon Nonato

2008-10-09T06:49:00.000-07:00

St. Raymond Nonnatus
August 31

(In Spanish SAN RAMON)

Born 1200 or 1204 at Portello in the Diocese of Urgel in Catalonia; died at Cardona, 31 August, 1240. His feast is celebrated on 31 August. He is pictured in the habit of his order surrounded by ransomed slaves, with a padlock on his lips. He was taken from the womb of his mother after her death, hence his name. Of noble but poor family, he showed early traits of piety and great talent. His father ordered him to tend a farm, but later gave him permission to take the habit with the Mercedarians at Barcelona, at the hands of the founder, St. Peter Nolasco. Raymond made such progress in the religious life that he was soon considered worthy to succeed his master in the office of ransomer. He was sent to Algiers and liberated many captives. When money failed he gave himself as a hostage. He was zealous in teaching the Christian religion and made many converts, which embittered the Mohammedan authorities. Raymond was subjected to all kinds of indignities and cruelty, was made to run the gauntlet, and was at last sentenced to impalement. The hope of a greater sum of money as ransom caused the governor to commute the sentence into imprisonment. To prevent him from preaching for Christ, his lips were pierced with a red-hot iron and closed with a padlock. After his arrival in Spain, in 1239, he was made a cardinal by Gregory IX. In the next year he was called to Rome by the pope, but came only as far as Cardona, about six miles from Barcelona, where he died. His body was brought to the chapel of St. Nicholas near his old farm. In 1657 his name was placed in the Roman martyrology by Alexander VII. He is invoked by women in labour and by persons falsely accused. The appendix to the Roman ritual gives a formula for the blessing of water, in his honour, to be used by the sick, and another of candles.

Source: New Catholic Encyclopedia, available at
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12671b.htm

St. Raymond Nonnatus

2008-10-09T06:43:00.000-07:00

St. Raymond Nonnatus

August 31

Raymond was born at Portella, Catalonia, Spain. He was delivered by caesarean operation when his mother died in childbirth. Hence his name non natus (not born). He joined the Mercedarians under St. Peter Nolasco at Barcelona. He succeeded Peter as chief ransomer and went to Algeria to ransom slaves. He remained as hostage for several slaves when his 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 Peter Nolasco. On his return to Barcelona in 1239, he was appointed Cardinal by Pope Gregory IX, but died at Cardona a short distance from Barcelona the next year while on the way to Rome. He was canonized in 1657. He is the patron saint of expectant mothers and midwives because of the nature of his own birth. Although his mother died in labor, Raymond miraculously survived the ordeal. His feast day is August 31.

Source: <http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=314>