St. Raymond Nonnatus

In case your Latin is rusty, this Raymond’s moniker translates to “unborn” or “not born”. This is believed to be due to his birth by Caesarian section. Yep, in the twelfth century.*

If it is true, as there is no reason to believe it isn’t, that Raymond was, to quote Shakespeare, “from his mother’s womb untimely ripped”, then St. Raymond should never have been born at all. think about it. God must have wanted this guy born. Think about it. To attempt an abdominal incision and live birth in the 1100’s was unheard of and yet somehow Raymond reached maturity.

Side note, on the eve of St. Raymond’s feast the Church commemorates a St. known only as Adauctus. That is, the saint who was added on. This guy was an unknown Christian who, inspired by the martyrdom of St. Felix, jumped in to die with him. We don’t know his name at all.

If you ever doubt the purpose of your own existence, if you wonder why you were born, think of Nonnatus. Think of Adauctus, too. Even if no one ever remembers your name, God might just give you the crown of martyrdom and bring you closer to Him in eternal bliss than some of the angels! God has a plan for every one of us. He thought of us before there was time. He foresaw and foreknew our every names, our movements, our sins and strivings, our rises and falls, and HE CREATED US ANYWAY.

He knew I’d be sitting in Harrisburg, PA on a Friday night drinking an Old Fashioned and writing this post.

May it bring joy – true joy and not the Kamala krap- to your life today as you contemplate His love for you.

Key first step: turn away from sin.

Embrace Him.

Lay your life at the foot of the cross of His Son and gaze upon Him Who bled and died for love of you.

Of all the things Ann Barnhardt has written over the years (and I’m a total fanboy devotee), every now and then she hits on a point I really like and that is that we must have a true personal relationship with Christ.

Let that begin by holding a crucifix in your hand and remembering that He died for you and left us the Eucharist as the daily Calvary. Go to Him and love Him.

St. Raymond Nonnatus, pray for us!

St. Adauctus, pray for us!

*Both my twin sister and I (as well as my own children and my wife) were born by section so St. Raymond is particularly close to my heart.