Saint Raymond, the Not-Born, and Saint Aristedes, the Apologist
Saint Raymond Nonnatus, who died on this day in 1240, was a Mercedarian priest, whose Order, as their name implies, was taskedwith ransoming Christian slaves from the Moors (that is, Muslims). We might consider that a controversial practice, as ironically incentivizing capturing more slaves to receive more in the way of reward, but in its day, good came of it. After all, freeing Christians from forced conversion, rape and martyrdom is a noble endeavour. Father Raymond was originally destined for a noble life of privilege, and ransomed hundreds of Christians. In his religious life, at one point, in accord with their vow, he offered everything he had, namely, himself in place of a number of Christians. The Muslims were happy with the trade, and they tortured the priest, at one point driving an awl through his lips and padlocking them shut so he could no longer preach Christ to them. So much for interreligious dialogue, with the further irony that this incident made Saint Raymond a patron against gossip and slander.
His ‘last’ name, really his nickname, derives from the fact that he was taken out of his mother’s womb by Caesarean section, after his mother’s death – hence, ‘non-natus‘, not born, which reminds one of the legend of Julius Caesar and Shakepseare’s play. This made him also one of the patrons of expectant mothers and women in childbirth.
Saint Raymond Nonnatus had quite the devotion before the revisions in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, in which his memorial was removed, with churches across the world dedicated to him, including the cathedral of Joliet, Illinois, and the town of Saint-Ramond, just north of Quebec City, is named after him.
Saint Aristedes was a second-century Apologist, the earliest of that group of theologians and fathers who wrote apologias defending the Faith from the attacks of pagans, in accord with Saint Peter’s exhortation in his first letter (3:15) to always be prepared to make a defense (apologia) of the faith that is in you. The most prominent of the Apologists was perhaps Saint Justin Martyr, whose feast we celebrate on June 1st, and who wrote just after our saint of today. Aristedes sent his own Apology to the Emperor Hadrian, the one who built the wall dividing England from Scotland, which still stands, after he realized the Romans could never beat the indomitable Scots.
Carney’s Amoral Majority
After five defections – euphemistically described as ‘crossing the floor’ – and three by-elections, Mark Carney and his Liberals how have their coveted majority. One wonders what bowls of pottage were offered in back-room deals. In the archaic monarchical system that is the Dominion of Canada, this majority allows the newly-minted Prime Minister to rule[…]Continue reading→
Saint Kateri , Canada’s Protectress
This was the title given to Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, by Pope Benedict XVI, when he canonized her on October 28th, 2012, along with six others, in Saint Peter’ Square (she had been beatified by Pope John Paul II back in 1980). With Saint Joseph as our protector, along with the Canadian martyrs, we seem to[…]Continue reading→
A Closed, Unsustainable, Descending Loop
As a follow-up to my thoughts on Payette’s payout, here be a stark image of where are here in Canada. As the graph shows in, well, graphic terms, since 2025, the public sector has contributed to 95.5% of economic growth. The private sector – which funds the public sector, or is supposed to – has[…]Continue reading→
A Tale of Two Benedicts
A grace-filled Holy Week to all our readers! As we await and prepare for the Resurrection about to dawn upon us, we might keep in mind two Benedicts: Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, requiescat in pace, elected on this day in 2005; and today’s commemoration of the mystic pilgrim, Benedict Joseph Labre, who died on this[…]Continue reading→
My Name is Bernadette
April 16th is a propitious day, for besides the anniversary of Father de Valk’s death, who founded Catholic Insight in its print form decades ago, and the commemoration of the ‘two Benedicts’, mentioned in accompanying posts, today we also recall Saint Bernadette Soubirous, the young visionary to whom the Virgin Mary appeared numerous times at[…]Continue reading→
Presidential Pardon of Weronika Krawczyk
As a good news, follow-up to our story from Poland, of the persecution of Weronika Krawczyk for her pro-life views, we heard that she has been granted a presidential pardon. One might still wonder why one needs a presidential pardon for simply holding the long-held belief that the child within the womb is a child,[…]Continue reading→
Saint Lydwina of Schiedam and Suffering Joyfully
Saint Lydwina of Schiedam (1380 – 1433) was one of the countless and glorious ‘victim souls’ in the history of the Church, those whose lives are filled with suffering, often of an unimaginable intensity, but who suffer joyfully. She was a fifteen-year old Dutch girl, out skating one day, when she fell and broke one[…]Continue reading→
The Glorious Martyrdoms of Martin and Maximus
As we enter into Eastertide, we recall on this 13th of April Pope Saint Martin I (+655), one of the noblest, if most tragic, of the successors of Saint Peter. Born in Umbria, Italy, he was of noble lineage, with great intelligence combined with charity and love of the poor and the Church. While still[…]Continue reading→
Pope Leo and a Rosary for Peace
Pope Leo XIV has asked Catholics across the world to join him in a Rosary for peace today, at 18:00 Rome time (6 pm), which would be noon from where I write (EST). If you are able, whether at that time or another, and in whatever way you pray, to join in intercession with the[…]Continue reading→
Payette’s Payout
I was glancing through some headlines, and noticed a mention of Julie Payette – engineer and astronaut and sometime the Queen’s representative in Canada – which brought back vague memories. She was appointed Governor-General by Justin Trudeau in 2017. Ms. Payette resigned in 2021, amidst claims that she created a ‘toxic work environment’, with allegations[…]Continue reading→