Saint Raymond of Penyafort

Biography

Saint Raymond of Peñafort, also known as Raymond of Rochefort, Raymond of Pegnafort, Raymond of Pennafort, Raimund of…, Raymund of…, Raimundus of…, was born to the Aragonian nobility in 1175 in Peñafort, Catalonia, Spain. He received his education at the cathedral school in Barcelona, Spain, and it was there that he developed a strong foundation in philosophy. By the age of 20, Raymond became a philosophy teacher in Barcelona. Feeling called to the priesthood, Raymond was ordained and later pursued his studies in law at the University of Bologna in Italy. He successfully completed his law degree and soon joined the Dominican Order in 1218. In 1230, Pope Gregory IX summoned Raymond to Rome, Italy, to assist him in an important task. Raymond was assigned the responsibility of collecting all official letters of the popes since 1150. With great dedication and diligence, he gathered and published five volumes of papal letters, becoming an invaluable resource for the Church. He also contributed to the writing of Church law during this time. Raymond's exceptional knowledge and dedication to the Dominican Order led to his appointment as the Master General of the Dominicans in 1238. In this role, he reviewed the Rule of the Order, ensuring its legal correctness. However, after fulfilling his duties, Raymond chose to resign in 1240 to dedicate himself to parish work, which he deeply loved. Despite declining the offer of an archbishopric, Raymond returned to Spain and focused on helping people return to God through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. His compassionate approach touched the lives of many, guiding them towards spiritual renewal. During his time in Rome, Raymond became aware of the challenges faced by missionaries trying to reach non-Christians in Northern Africa and Spain. In response, he established a school specifically aimed at teaching the language and culture of those to be evangelized. Additionally, he collaborated with Saint Thomas Aquinas in writing a booklet that aimed to explain the truths of faith in a way that non-believers could understand. Raymond's tireless efforts to spread the Gospel to different cultures and communities earned him great respect and influence. Raymond's extensive knowledge of Church law and his contributions to its development led to his patronage of lawyers. He is often depicted in religious art carrying a book, a cloak, or a key, representing his important role in legal matters and his impact on Church law. Another depiction shows Raymond using his cloak as a sail, symbolizing his travels and missionary work. Saint Raymond of Peñafort passed away on 6 January 1275 in Barcelona, Spain, at the age of 99. He died of natural causes, leaving behind a legacy of profound scholarship, spiritual guidance, and compassionate service to the Church. Recognizing his holiness and significant contributions, he was canonized on 29 April 1601 by Pope Clement VIII. Saint Raymond of Peñafort is revered as the patron saint of attorneys, barristers, canonists, lawyers, and medical record librarians. He is also the patron saint of Barcelona, Spain, and Navarre, Spain. His feast day is celebrated on 7 January, with an additional celebration on 6 January specifically in Barcelona, Spain. Previously, his feast day was observed on 23 January.