St. Raymond Nonnatus: They Padlocked His Lips—He Wouldn’t Stop Preaching

About this sermon

St. Raymond Nonnatus is remembered as the Mercedarian saint who sold himself into slavery to free Christian captives—and whose lips were pierced and padlocked because he refused to stop preaching Christ. Born in Catalonia in 1204 after his mother died during childbirth, Raymond received the name Nonnatus, meaning “not born.” Despite his father’s plans for him, he entered the Order of Mercy, founded to ransom Christians captured during raids and wars around the Mediterranean. After becoming a priest and eventually superior general, Raymond helped ransom nearly 400 captives. When the money ran out during one mission, he fulfilled the Mercedarians’ extraordinary fourth vow: he offered himself as a hostage and secured the freedom of 28 others. Even in captivity, Raymond preached the Gospel and reportedly converted many who heard him. His captors finally pierced his lips with a red-hot instrument and fastened them with a padlock. What they intended as humiliation became an enduring symbol of his courage. This sermon contrasts St. Raymond’s enforced silence with those who silence themselves through fear. Physical slavery remains a terrible evil, but spiritual bondage to sin, falsehood, addiction, fear, and human respect can be even more destructive. Through St. Raymond’s intercession, may priests, bishops, and laymen receive the courage and charity to proclaim Christ without compromise. St. Raymond Nonnatus, pray for us! 00:00 St. Raymond Nonnatus, Mercedarian superior 00:30 The meaning of “Nonnatus” 00:38 Delivered after his mother’s death 00:46 His father’s plans and religious vocation 01:01 Studies while tending sheep 01:19 Joining the Order of Mercy 01:27 Ransoming Christian captives 01:43 Ordained a priest at only 18 01:50 Becoming superior general 02:06 Nearly 400 captives freed 02:13 The ransom money runs out 02:29 Selling himself into slavery 02:36 Exchanged for 28 captives 02:51 The terrible conditions he accepted 03:12 Why worldly prudence opposed his decision 03:28 The foolishness of God 03:52 Preaching while enslaved 04:09 Conversions among his captors 04:27 His lips pierced and padlocked 04:50 The meaning of his iconography 04:58 Ransomed and appointed cardinal 05:20 An angel brings the Last Rites 05:45 His death at only 36 05:53 The dispute over his burial 06:01 The blindfolded mule miracle 06:17 The cardinal’s hat at his feet 06:39 Slavery in the modern world 07:25 The greater danger of spiritual slavery 07:33 Addiction and slavery to sin 07:50 Rescuing souls through the Gospel 08:36 Freedom from falsehood 09:09 Courage symbolized by padlocked lips 09:18 Clergy who silence themselves 09:49 Slavery to immorality and fear 10:05 Prayer for courage and charity 10:29 Final blessing Please say 3 Hail Marys for the priest. 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 ✝️ SUPPORT THE MISSION 🙏 Donate https://sensusfidelium.com/donate-support/ 📬 Free Catholic Newsletter https://sensusfidelium.com/newsletter/ 📰 Read on Substack https://sensusfidelium.substack.com/ ──────────────────── 📺 WATCH & READ 📺 Sensus Fidelium App https://sensusfidelium.tv/ 📚 Sensus Fidelium Press https://sensusfideliumpress.com/ 👕 Official Merchandise https://sensusfidelium.com/merchandise/ ──────────────────── 🤝 PARTNER WITH US 📣 Advertise on Sensus Fidelium https://sensusfidelium.com/advertise-with-sensus-fidelium/ 🎤 Invite Steve Cunningham to Speak https://sensusfidelium.com/speaking/ ⛪ Parish Formation & Consultation https://sensusfidelium.com/for-parishes/ ──────────────────── 🌎 CATHOLIC COMMUNITY ✝️ Trusted Catholic Businesses https://sensusfidelium.com/catholic-businesses/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴