ST. RAYMOND OF PENAFORT

January 7

ST. RAYMOND OF PENAFORT
Feastday - January 7

Raymond of Penafort, the third Master General of the Dominican Order, lived to be 100. He was born of Aragonian nobility in 1175 in Catalonia, Spain and died January 6, 1275 at Barcelona. Raymond was known for his intellectual gifts becoming a professor of philosophy and a lawyer. He organized papal decrees which became the basis for the code of canon law and revised the constitutions of the Order.

As a member of the Order he manifested a great devotion to Mary and a love for the Divine Office. The pope wanted to make Raymond an archbishop but he declined wishing to return to parish work. He made the poor and suffering his priority even cooperating with Peter Nolasco in founding the Order of Mercy for the ransom of captives. His compassion helped many people return to God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Raymond’s preaching, commitment to study, use of scripture and availability to others are all signs of his fervor to share God’s love. Truly, Raymond is a model for each of us striving to carry out the action steps of our 2000 Chapter - prayer, study, preaching and common life. In a special way he exemplifies the meaning of a productive retired life.

In one of his letters St. Raymond says: “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 forever in the vision of peace, in the security of trust, and in the restful enjoyment of his riches.”