Memorial of Saint Raymond of Penafort, Priest
- Mary Jo Barr
- Jan 7
- 2 min read
Alleluia Luke 21:36
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Luke 12:35-40
Jesus said to his disciples: "Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them. And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come."
REFLECTION
"Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man."
St. Raymond of Penafort lived every moment of his 100 years doing good for others. He was a professor of law and a canonist, before he became a Dominican Friar and Priest. He was known for his preaching, organizing skills, humility, and obedience. Fr. Raymond was, also, dedicated to serving the poor.
Becoming a Friar at 41, St. Raymond was known for his manual for confessors. This handbook was a helpful explanation of moral theology useful to priests during confession. He was, also, known for his spiritual advice and the King of Aragon took him on a trip to the Island of Majorca. There the King was sinning with women. Fr. Raymond told the King to repent. The King refused and Raymond asked to leave the Island. Again the King refused his request. St. Raymond took his cloak and made a sail and in six hours he arrived in Barcelona.
He continued to help the Catholic Church. Pope Gregory IX commissioned the Friar to organize legal decrees. After three year, he combined the Decretals into five volumes. This collection became the foundation for the Church's cannon law.
Pope Gregory wanted to make Friar Raymond an Archbishop of Tarragon, but he became sick and returned home. He became the Superior General of the Dominican Order while in his 60's. He retired two years later as the Superior but continued to work for the Lord evangelizing the Jews and Muslims. He had schools built to help his friars learn the Hebrew and Arabic languages for their evangelization efforts. By the time he reached his 80's he had baptized over 10,000 Muslims.
Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. St. Raymond of Penafort was vigilant during his life. He saved many souls for the Lord. Never take time to rest and "Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man."
Let us pray for all priests to live their lives committed to saving souls like St. Raymond of Penafort. Here is our PAPA Prayer for Priests.
REFERENCES
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