Raymond Nonnatus

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Saint Raymond Nonnatus (Raymund Nonnatus; (Spanish) Raimundo Nonato; (French) Raymond Nonnat) (1204—1240) is a saint from Catalonia. His surname Nonnatus (Latin, "not born") is derived from the fact that he was born by Caesarean section (his mother died during childbirth). He is the patron saint of childbirth, midwives, children, and pregnant women.

Born at Portella, diocese of Urgel, he became a member of the Mercedarian Order, founded to ransom Christian captives of the Moors of North Africa, he was ordained priest in 1222 and later became master-general of the order. He traveled to North Africa and is said to have surrendered himself as a hostage when his money ran out.

He suffered in captivity. A legend states that the Moors bored a hole through his lips with a hot iron, and padlocked his mouth to prevent him from preaching. He was ransomed by his order and in 1239 returned to Spain.

Pope Gregory IX nominated him cardinal but on his way to Rome Nonnatus died at Cardona. Many miracles were attributed to him before and after his death.

Saint-Raymond, Quebec is named after him, as is San Ramón de la Nueva Orán, in Argentina.