January 7 2019 - St. Raymond of Penyafort - Outstanding Mercy and Compassion

Today’s saint was a Dominican priest who lived about 800 years ago.  He was born into the Spanish nobility and had an excellent education.  By age 20 he was teaching philosophy; by the age of 30 he had doctorates in both civil and church law. In his early 40 he joined the Dominicans about a year after the death of their founder, St. Dominic.  About a decade later, he was summoned to Rome by Pope Gregory IX to serve as the Pope’s personal confessor.  While in Rome, the Pope gave him the task of bringing together for the first time, in one volume, all of the laws and decrees of the popes and church councils.  For this, St. Raymond is known as the Father and Patron saint of Canon Law.

At age 60, Raymond was appointed an Archbishop, though he became sick and resigned in hopes of getting some peace.  But, peace in retirement Raymond would not receive.  At age 62, he was elected as head of the Dominicans.  Raymond worked hard, visited on foot all the Dominican Communities, and reorganized their constitutions.

In his last 35 years, (by the way, did I mention St. Raymond lived to be 100?), he promoted the study of Hebrew and Arabic, so that the Dominicans in Spain could preach the Gospel to Jews and Muslims.  He encouraged St. Thomas Aquinas, one of his contemporaries, to write an explanation of the faith to help missionaries in their work.

The Opening Prayer mentioned St. Raymond’s mercy and compassion for sinners and for captives.  During the 13th Century, Spain was partially controlled by the Muslims who enslaved many Christians, not only in Spain but across the Mediterranean in North Africa.  He set up an organization to liberate Christian slaves. Also, in his work in moral theology, he wrote a book for confessors helping to set sinners free from the slavery of sin through the Sacrament of Penance.

St. Raymond is a wonderful saint to honor and reflect upon in the Christmas season; for he shows us that the Son of God took on flesh to save even lawyers…ha ha…no, he shows us the amazing transformation, the newness of life, the energy and vitality of the saints who have allowed the Christ Child to be the Lord of their life, when we allow Christ to free us from our sinful attachments. Instead of keeping Christ on the peripheries of one’s life, the saints teach us to make Christ their “everything”. May we do the same, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
 
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For faithfulness to the laws of God and the precepts of Holy Church, and that through the intercession of St. Raymond, all civil lawyers and canon lawyers may practice law with integrity and for the good of souls.

For our young people returning to school after Christmas break, that their own fidelity to Jesus may be deepened through the holy example of their parents and teachers.

For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated religious life, that many young people may respond generously to the Lord’s call to ordained and consecrated service.

For all the needs of the sick and the suffering, the homebound, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the underemployed and unemployed, immigrants and refugees, victims of natural disaster, war, and terrorism, for all those who grieve the loss of a loved one, and those who will die today, for their comfort, and the consolation of their families.

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord