Today August 31

Today is the feast of St. Raymond Nonnatus (1204-1240). He was, like Macduff "from [his] mother's womb / Untimely ripp'd" -- a Caesarian -- and thus bore the designation "Nonnatus" (not-born).

Early in life (thank God, since he only lived til 36) he decided to dedicate himself to freeing the slaves. He did this -- successfully, I might add -- by ransoming them from their captors. I've pointed out before that a certain stripe of conservative will get on their high horse and insist that "We will not negotiate with terrorists," who are analogous with the kidnappers and slavers. After all, one could argue, one is only encouraging this evil behavior by paying ransom. And I see that argument. But St. Raymond, radical that he was, believed in the absolute value of human life -- all human life, each human life -- and in the only relative value of money. Why NOT ransom the captives? He even gambled his own life by offering HIMSELF for the ransom of captives when he ran out of funds. He was accepted, and then this dangerous man was silenced. And I do mean silenced. Literally. His lips were pierced with a red-hot iron and a padlock inserted, which only the governor had the key to. It was a crime to speak about religion to a Mohammedan man -- and St. Raymond, the eloquent, the negotiator, the ransomer, the charitable one, was very much a criminal!

He was kept alive due to his value (he was worth many hostages) and perhaps, to Islamic honor. Eight months later he himself was ransomed by those in his order (the Mercedarians). He was reluctant to leave North Africa, but went under obedience.

He was nominated cardinal and yet continued to live as a poor, simple man. He was called to Rome by Pope Gregory IX, but he died on the way. St. Raymond, pray for us.