Saint Raymond of Penyafort

Born at Penyafort near Barcelona in 1175, Saint Raymond lived into his hundredth year, quite astonishing given the era. As a member of the Spanish nobility, he had the resources and the education to get a good start in life and would go on to offer the gifts of his impressive intellect to the Church of God.

By the time he was 20, Raymond was teaching philosophy and proving an outstanding scholar. In his early 30s he earned a doctorate in both canon and civil law. At 41 he was admitted into the Dominican Order, which would nurture him spiritually for the rest of his life on earth.

The learned theologian soon came to the attention of the Church hierarchy and was duly called to Rome by Pope Gregory IX to be his confessor. One of the things the pope asked him to do was gather all the decrees of popes and councils into one place, for ease of access. Raymond dutifully compiled five books called the Decretals. They were looked upon as one of the best organised collections of Church law until the 1917 codification of canon law surpassed them.

Raymond wrote many other worthy documents, including an outstanding book for confessors called Summa de casibus poenitentiae. This document was more than just a list of sins and penances, it discussed pertinent doctrines and laws of the Church that pertained to the problem or case brought to the confessor. Raymond was noted for having great compassion in dealing with penitents, an attribute recalled in the collect offered at Mass on his Feast day.

At the age of 60, Raymond was appointed archbishop of Tarragona, the capital of Aragon. He was most uncomfortable being granted this honour. Indeed it led to a period of sickness and malaise and Raymond ended up resigning within two years. He didn’t retire to a life of ease mind you! For at the age of 63 he was elected head of the whole Dominican Order by the other monks. This post was as successor to St. Dominic himself.

Raymond worked hard, visited all the Dominicans on foot, reorganised their constitutions and managed to put through a provision that a master general be allowed to resign. When the new constitutions were accepted, Raymond, then 65, resigned. He still had 35 years to oppose heresy and work for the conversion of the Moors in Spain. He convinced St. Thomas Aquinas to write his work Against the Gentiles. In his100th year the Lord took Raymond home to heaven after a long, hard working ministry within the Church.

There will be few who celebrate the feast of S. Raymond with as much gusto as I. For his feast co-incides with my Birthday! And so this morning, as an ‘Epiphany babe’, I was served a most delicious and unhealthy birthday breakfast by my wonderful wife.

After opening my gifts, with much help from Jemima (unlike me she was more impressed with chocolates than whiskey), it was then off to church for Mass and into school for our first Act of Worship of the term. Each class was visited beforehand and each sang me happy birthday. Many thanks to Oak Class who even rustled me up a ballon and pencil! I am especially looking forward to this evening when Hayley and I will enjoy the rare treat of a meal out. Here is to S. Raymond- whose feast I eagerly anticipate each year!

Oh and do visit the blog of Kevin Lynes, who is standing as our local County Councillor, who has written an excellent article on the toilet block and graffiti! He has pledged to help move things forward. I really do hope he is elected as he is proving a very good friend to both church and community and is a man who certainly seems to ‘gets things done’. Something very much needed in this locality.