Hello everyone.  I hope you are well and keeping safe.  

Wow, the time passes!  Officially tomorrow, I will be the pastor of Holy Name-St Gregory the Great Parish.  As I mentioned, I am very grateful to hang my hat here awhile as I get things in order for the move.  My goal is to “travel lightly” as Jesus instructed when he sent out his disciples into the world.  But I think we all know it is not so easy.  

I will ask Carlos, our seminarian, to help me with a video tomorrow that I can send out to you, just as a way to thank you for these two wonderful years.  I am not the best at saying goodbye and I am grateful that Msgr. Luke Sweeney mentioned to me that when things get settled, I may come back and offer my thanks to you personally.  

There are a couple of saints on the calendar today.  For instance, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus.  There’s also another who might not have caught our attention, St Raymond, Nonnatus.  I am happy to mention this because our friend, Fr. Luis’s first assignment is presently at St. Raymond’s Church in the Bronx.  Happy feast day, Fr. Luis and to Fr. Cruz, the pastor and old friend,  and to all of your parishioners.   

Here is a little of St. Raymond’s story from our friends at the Franciscan Media Center.  

Enjoy the day. 

Saint Raymond Nonnatus’ Story

Raymond was born at Portella, Catalonia, Spain. He was delivered by a caesarean operation when his mother died in childbirth. Hence his name non natus (not born). He joined the Mercedarians under Saint Peter Nolasco at Barcelona. He succeeded Peter as chief ransomer and went to Algeria to ransom slaves. Raymond remained as hostage for several slaves when his money ran out and was sentenced to be impaled when the governor learned that he had converted several Mohammedans. He escaped the death sentence because of the ransom he would bring, but was forced to run the gauntlet. Raymond was then tortured for continuing his evangelizing activities but was ransomed eight months later by Peter Nolasco.

On his return to Barcelona in 1239, Raymond was appointed Cardinal by Pope Gregory IX, but died at Cardona a short distance from Barcelona the next year while on the way to Rome. He was canonized in 1657. He is the patron saint of expectant mothers and midwives because of the nature of his own birth. Although his mother died in labor, Raymond miraculously survived the ordeal.

Reflection

Raymond almost didn’t make it at birth, but what an adventure-filled life. Little did his family know at his birth that he would do and endure all that he did. How many parents of newborns wonder what the child will become? Life is a surprising adventure.

Saint Raymond Nonnatus is the Patron Saint of:

Childbirth

Falsely Accused

Midwives

Obstetricians

Pregnant Women