Saint Raymond of Peñafort

Saint Raymond of Peñafort was born in 1175 in Peñafort Castle, in Barcelona, Spain. His parents were allies of King Aragon and descended from the ancient counts of Barcelona. From an early age, he dedicated himself to studies and specialized in Bologna, Italy, where he also became a recognized master.

He left this life to respond to the request of the Bishop of Barcelona, who wanted him as a canon. Raimundo fulfilled this role until he realized that his calling was to religious life, when he joined the Dominican Order and continued in various formation positions. However, he was always attentive to the needs of the Church and held several roles, including that of theologian to the Cardinal-Bishop of Sabina, legate in the region of Castile and Aragon and various positions in the Roman Curia, including that of main penitentiary of the Supreme Pontiff .

Despite not seeking or planning to occupy these positions, Raimundo was faithful to what was given to him as a task for the edification of the Church. He wrote about casuistry and invested in actions by teachers and missionaries, as he knew he needed well-trained missionaries for evangelization. Raimundo did not work alone, he counted on the help of Saint Thomas Aquinas and helped others to discern God's will, such as Saint Peter Nolasco, who was considering the founding of a new order consecrated to Our Lady of Mercy, the Mercedarians.

Raymond was a humble man who became a servant and was chosen as Superior General of the Dominicans. He was a man of poverty, obedience and purity, as well as a man of prayer. He died in Rome in 1275, after dedicating a hundred years to God's work. In his canonization, carried out in 1601 by Clement VIII, several miracles that occurred around his tomb were described.