Born in what is now northeast Spain in 1175, his family came from royalty.
Raymond was a brilliant student and by the time he was twenty, was teaching philosophy at the University of Bologna where he would go on to earn doctorates in both civil and canon law. By the time he was in his 30s, he was the Chair of Canon Law.
But Raymond felt called to the priesthood, and in his 40s joined a new order, The Dominicans, receiving his habit at the age of 47.
Working with Saint Peter Nolasco, he helped establish a new order, The Mercedarians, whose function was to gain the freedom of Christians being held as slaves in Islamic lands.
Recognizing the need to learn foreign languages to accomplish this task, Raymond founded the first school dedicated to the sole purpose of teaching oriental languages.
Shortly after, he was summoned to Rome by Pope Gregory the IX to be his assistant and confessor. The Holy Father asked him to collect all of the decrees from the previous Popes and councils over the prior 80 years and organize them. The work resulted in a five-volume set called “The Gregorian Decretals“ which was in use until 1917.
He also wrote a book addressing sins commonly brought to priests during confession.
At 60, Raymond was named Bishop of Tarragona, but illness prevented him from holding that position very long.
When healthy again, Raymond was elected as head of the Dominicans succeeding Saint Dominic.
After re-organizing their constitution he retired at 65 and spent the next 35 years opposing heresy, trying to convert the Moors in Spain, and even convincing St. Thomas Aquinas to write a book called: “Against the Gentles “.
He died at the age of 100 in 1275.
St. Raymond Penafort, please pray for us.