Saint Raymond was born in Spain,1175. At the age of 20, Raymond received his doctorate from the University of Barcelona and was assigned to teach philosophy at the same university. He did this laborious work without any reward.
In 1222, he joined the Dominican monastery. Raymond’s goal was to attain the highest rank in holiness through self-sacrifice. The saint combined his prayerful life with his great missionary work. His speeches had a miraculous effect on the audience. He was able to convert many people like Jews and Moors.
Raymond, along with his spiritual friends, King James of Aragon and Peter Tolasco, formed a group in the name of Mother of Mercy to free slaves. The benefits of this group are beyond description. The life of a saint was a continual prayer. It is said that he was regularly awakened by an angel shortly before it was time for the canonical chants to be recited after midnight.
In 1230, he was appointed as the confessor of Pope Gregory IX. In 1235 Raymond was ordained Archbishop of Tarragona. He resigned two years later because he did not want to continue in that great position. But that peace did not last long. In 1238, Raymond was elected Master General of the Dominican Church. He resigned two years later. Much of the later saint’s life was devoted to evangelistic preaching.
It is said that the saint baptized ten thousand people in eighteen years. He, who was fully consecrated to God, ascended to heaven at the age of one hundred.