Saint of the Day: St. Raymond of Peñafort

Dominican Priest (1175-1275)

His life

+ Raymond was born near Catalonia, Spain, and was so bright that he was teaching philosophy in Barcelona when he was only twenty-years old. Asking for now payment, he was fully dedicated to the formation of his students.

+ After he earned doctoral degrees in canon and civil law, he was made a canon, archdeacon, and vicar-general of his diocese.

+ In 1222, he entered the Dominican Order and he committed himself to working for the conversion of Muslims and Jews.

+ Recognizing his natural gifts and education, Pope Gregory IX summoned him to Rome and appointed him Auditor of the Apostolic Palace, Penitentiary, and Confessor to His Holiness.

+ In 1238, Raymond was elected General of the Dominican Order and is credited with codifying the Order’s constitutions.

+ Saint Raymond died in 1275 and was canonized in 1601. He is honored as the patron saint of canon lawyers.

For prayer and reflection

“May the God of love and peace set your hearts at rest and speed you on your journey; may he meanwhile shelter you from disturbance by others in the hidden recesses of his love, until he brings you at last into that place of complete plenitude where you will repose for ever in the vision of peace, in the security of trust and in the restful enjoyment of his riches.”—Saint Raymond of Peñafort

Spiritual bonus

On this day, the Church also honors the memory of Blessed Marie Therese Haze, the foundress of the Sisters of the Cross of Liège (now known as the Daughters of the Cross. Known for her love of the poor and those most in need, Blessed Marie Therese died in 1876 and was beatified in 1991.

Prayer

O God, who adorned the Priest Saint Raymond
with the virtue of outstanding mercy and compassion
for sinners and for captives,
grant us, through his intercession,
that, released from slavery to sin,
we may carry out in freedom of spirit
what is pleasing to you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.