SAINT RAYMOND, BISHOP OF BALBASTRO

SAINT RAYMOND, BISHOP OF BALBASTRO - 21 MAY

SAINT RAYMOND, BISHOP OF BALBASTRO

Raymond (Raymundus), bishop of Balbastro (Barbastrum) in the Spanish Kingdom of Aragon, was born around the middle of the 11th century at Orbans (Urbanum) in the Diocese of Toulouse.

A soldier at first, he soon left the world and entered the monastery of St Antonin in Pamiers as a canon. From there he came to Toulouse as prior of the canonical monastery of St Saturnin and was raised to the episcopal see of this city as successor to Bishop Pontius of Balbastro in A.D. 1104.

Due to his humility, he did not like to have been elevated to the episcopal chair, but once in place, he carried out his office with great conscientiousness, using whatever he had left over from the bishop's income for the benefit of the poor and for pious foundations. With courage and perseverance he watched over the customs of the clergy and the people, and rebuilt those churches which had been destroyed by the Moors.

In 1113 the episcopal see was forcibly snatched from him by Bishop Stephen of Huesca. He had to retire to the canons at Rodez. Even the strong objection of Pope Paschalis II could not bring about his reinstatement. King Alphonso I of Aragon, although he placed his complete trust in the saint, could do nothing to restore his rights, either.

St Raymond died in Huesca on June 21, 1126, after having held the episcopal office for 21 years, 8 months and 21 days. His royal patron built him a magnificent tomb. His relics were raised in 1143 and a part of the same transferred to Balbastro. St Raymond's name is not mentioned in the Roman Martyrology*, but it is inserted in the Lists of the Regular Canons of the Order of St Augustine.

St Raymond is also commemorated on June 21.

(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 5, Augsburg, 1882)

*A hagiography source used by the authors

Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Raymond may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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