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.

WELCOME

Please pick your saints: January - Saints by date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 February - Saints by date 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 ...

FATIMA APPARITION - 13 AUGUST

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN AUGUST Saints celebrated on the 13th of August Marian Feast Days WELCOME! FATIMA APPARITION - AUGUST 13 The Fatima Children “BUT IN THE END MY IMMACULATE HEART WILL TRIUMPH.” But in the end my Immaculate Heart will triumph. The Holy Father will consecrate Russia to me; it will be converted, and a certain period of peace will be granted to the world. THE AUGUST 13 EVENTS On August 13, the children were in jail at Ourem. The civil administrator threatened to boil them in oil if they did not tell the Lady’s secret. Though badly frightened, they could not think of disobeying our Lady. In disgust, the administrator finally freed them. A large number of people, not knowing that the children had been kidnapped, went to the Cova for the scheduled appearance of the Lady. At noon, there was a loud clap of thunder. Then, according to an eyewitness: “Right after the thunder came a flash, and immediately we all noticed a little cloud, very white, beautiful and bright,...

ST JOHN BERCHMANS, RELIGIOUS - 13 AUGUST

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN AUGUST Saints celebrated on the 13th of August WELCOME! SAINT JOHN BERCHMANS, RELIGIOUS (Patron Saint of Altar Servers.) The eldest boy of a poor cordwainer, in a small Belgian town, John was ever a dutiful, prayerful, and studious child. Our Lord called him when but young to leave his father and his father’s house, to serve Him in the Society of Jesus. And because he was so good a son, it cost his father much to give him up to God; but he was too good a Christian to refuse outright. HE WAS SENT TO ROME John had hardly taken his religious vows when he was sent to the centre of Christendom, the holy city of Rome. His modesty, his purity, shone out as great virtue always does; and the young laymen who attended the lectures would come to gaze upon his beautiful and holy face, and go away the better for the sight. GREAT VIRTUE Three short years, and his last sickness found him sighing for heaven, and three days before the great feast of Mar...

SAINT FEAST DAY FOR EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR

Search This Blog