Raymond was born about the year 1200 at Portella, Catalonia, Spain.  He was delivered by caesarean operation when his mother died during childbirth.  Hence his name non natus was given, which means “not born”.  

     He came from a noble but poor family and showed early traits of piety and great talent.  His father ordered him to tend a farm, but later gave him permission to take the habit with the Mercedarian Order at Barcelona under the guidance of St. Peter Nolasco, its founder.

     Raymond made such progress in the religious life that he was soon considered worthy to succeed his master in the office of ransomer.  He was sent to Algiers and liberated many captives.  When money failed he gave himself as a hostage.

     He was zealous in teaching the Christian religion and made many converts, which angered the Mohammedan authorities.  Raymond was subjected to all kinds of indignities and cruelty, was made to run the gauntlet, and was at last sentenced to impalement piercing.  In hope of receiving a greater sum of money as ransom, the governor commuted the sentence into imprisonment.  Eight months later he was ransomed by Peter Nolasco.

To prevent him from preaching for Christ, his lips were pierced with a red-hot iron and closed with a padlock.

     After his arrival in Spain in 1239, he was appointed Cardinal by Pope Gregory IX; but, while on his way to Rome the following year, he died on August 31, 1240 at Cardona only six miles from Barcelona.  His body was brought to the Chapel of St. Nicholas near his old farm.

     In 1657 he was canonized by Pope Alexander VII.  St. Raymond is the patron saint of expectant mothers and midwives because of the nature of his own birth, and of persons falsely accused.  His feast day is August 31st.