Unlock Your Lips: The Courage to Speak Truth | St. Raymond Nonnatus

About this sermon

St. Raymond Nonnatus surrendered his freedom to rescue 28 Christian captives—and continued preaching until his captors pierced his lips and padlocked his mouth. His extraordinary life began in Catalonia around 1204. His mother died during childbirth, and Raymond was delivered from her body, earning the name Nonnatus, meaning “not born.” From childhood, he appeared born more for Heaven than for this world. After asking the Blessed Virgin to become his mother, Raymond joined the Mercedarian Order, founded to ransom Christians enslaved during raids and conflicts. He personally helped liberate hundreds of captives and eventually became superior general. When the ransom money ran out, Raymond exchanged himself for 28 prisoners. His desire for souls proved stronger than his desire for freedom. In captivity, he encouraged despairing Christians and preached Christ to anyone willing to listen. His captors attempted to silence him with a padlock, creating the image by which he remains known. This sermon asks what true slavery and freedom mean. Physical bondage is terrible, but slavery to sin, vice, falsehood, passions, and fear is worse. Even inside a dungeon, the soul that possesses Christ and the truth can remain free. St. Raymond also teaches discernment: there are times to close our mouths against gossip and times when fear must not prevent us from proclaiming the Gospel. May he obtain for our priests, bishops, and laity the courage to speak truth in season and out of season. St. Raymond Nonnatus, pray for us! 00:00 Introducing St. Raymond Nonnatus 00:32 His extraordinary birth 00:39 Why he was called “Nonnatus” 00:48 Born for the next world 01:11 His wealthy family and father’s plans 01:27 Serious devotion from childhood 01:49 Sent into the fields as a shepherd 02:05 Praying in St. Nicholas Church 02:28 Asking Mary to become his mother 02:53 The founding of the Mercedarian Order 03:16 Ransoming Christian captives 03:38 Slavery in medieval Spain 04:25 Raymond joins the Mercedarians 04:32 Hundreds of captives liberated 04:48 The ransom money runs out 04:56 Selling himself to free 28 prisoners 05:28 His desire for souls over freedom 05:50 Preaching to his captors 05:57 His lips pierced and padlocked 06:19 Suffering with serenity 06:35 A confessor willing to become a martyr 07:00 Choosing captivity over safety 07:31 Summoned to become a cardinal 07:48 His final illness 08:10 Angels bring the Last Sacraments 08:35 The miracle following his death 08:52 The blindfolded mule chooses his burial place 09:24 Willingness to suffer for Christ 09:41 The worst form of slavery 10:05 Freedom within the dungeon 10:13 The truth shall make you free 10:45 Clergy afraid to speak 11:25 Patron of gossip, mothers, and confessors 11:48 When should we remain silent? 12:09 Freedom from fear 12:18 Unlocking our lips to proclaim the Gospel 12:33 Prayer for bold priests and bishops 12:53 Closing music https://sensusfidelium.us/the-liturgical-year-dom-prosper-gueranger/august/august-31-st-raymond-nonnatus-confessor/ Please remember to 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/ 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 #SaintRaymondNonnatus #CatholicSermon #Mercedarians #SpeakTheTruth #CatholicSaints #FaithOverFear #ChristianCourage #CatholicPriesthood #SpiritualFreedom #TruthSetsYouFree #PreachTheGospel #CatholicFaith #LivesOfTheSaints #August31 #SensusFidelium

Topics

• Bible Study
• Victory Over Fear