Saint Raymond of Penyafort

Saint Raymond of Penyafort

Born to the Aragonian nobility. Educated at the cathedralschool in Barcelona, Spain. Philosophy teacher around age 20. Priest. Graduated law school in Bologna, Italy. Joined the Dominicans in 1218. Summoned to Rome, Italyin 1230 by Pope Gregory IX. Assigned to collect all official letters of the popes since 1150. Raymond gathered and published five volumes, and helped write Church law.

Chosen master general of the Dominicans in 1238. Reviewed the Order’s Rule, made sure everything was legally correct, then resigned his position in 1240 to dedicate himself toparish work. He was offered and archbishopric, but he declined, instead returning toSpain and the parish work he loved. His compassion helped many people return to Godthrough Reconciliation.

During his years in Rome, Raymond heard of the difficulties missionaries faced trying to reach non-Christians of Northern Africa and Spain. Raymond started a school to teach the language and culture of the people to be evangelized. With Saint Thomas Aquinas, hewrote a booklet to explain the truths of faith in a way that non-believers could understand. His great influence on Church law led to his patronage of lawyers.