They Padlocked His Lips—But Couldn’t Silence His Faith | St. Raymond Nonnatus

About this sermon

Discover the heroic life of St. Raymond Nonnatus, the Mercedarian priest who surrendered his own freedom to ransom Christians from slavery—and whose captors reportedly padlocked his lips to prevent him from preaching Jesus Christ. Born in Catalonia around 1204 after his mother died before his delivery, Raymond received the name Nonnatus, meaning “not born.” Although his father hoped he would pursue worldly success, Raymond desired religious life. He eventually joined the Order of Our Lady of Mercy, founded by St. Peter Nolasco to redeem Christians held captive. The Mercedarians took a remarkable fourth vow: to offer themselves as hostages when necessary to free another Christian. After exhausting his ransom money in Spain and North Africa, Raymond exchanged himself for additional captives. During his imprisonment, he preached to fellow prisoners, reconciled apostates to the Faith and proclaimed Christ to his guards. To silence him, his captors pierced his lips and fastened them with a padlock. Raymond endured this suffering for months until his order secured his release. He was later named a cardinal but died in 1240 while traveling to Rome. His life confronts us with a difficult question: how do we respond when serving God brings greater suffering rather than immediate relief? St. Raymond teaches us to trust divine Providence and seek the only perfect freedom—freedom from sin. St. Raymond Nonnatus, pray for us! 00:00 Introduction 00:34 His extraordinary birth and the name “Nonnatus” 01:14 Childhood, shepherding and prayer 02:17 Joining the Mercedarian Order 02:25 St. Peter Nolasco and Christian captives 03:26 The Mercedarians’ heroic fourth vow 03:49 Raymond’s priesthood and leadership 04:24 Raising ransom money 04:39 Mission to ransom captives 05:02 Hundreds of Christians liberated 05:19 Raymond offers himself as a hostage 05:50 Preaching while imprisoned 06:12 Ordered to stop speaking about Christ 06:27 His lips are pierced and padlocked 07:10 Suffering for doing God’s will 07:53 Eight months of captivity 08:15 Named a cardinal 08:23 His final illness and heavenly assistance 08:56 The padlock and cardinal’s hat in sacred art 09:13 Raymond’s body returns to Catalonia 09:46 Burial at St. Nicholas’ chapel 10:12 Trusting God when suffering increases 11:06 Ransoming souls from spiritual slavery 12:03 How sinful habits forge chains 12:27 The true freedom of Christ 12:44 Closing 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/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #StRaymondNonnatus #CatholicSaints #Mercedarians #CatholicHistory #ChristianPersecution #FreedomFromSin #TrustGod #LivesOfTheSaints #CatholicFaith #SensusFidelium

Topics

• Faith