Saint Raymond: The Cloak of Correction
The Feast of Saint Raymond of Penyafort, Dominican priest and Master General, is celebrated on January 7.
Born c. 1175 near Barcelona, Raymond (d. 1275) was a renowned canon lawyer who joined the Dominicans at 47. He compiled the Gregorian Decretals for Pope Gregory IX, aided the founding of the Mercedarians for ransoming captives, promoted missions to Jews and Muslims, and wrote a key manual on hearing confessions.
Leadership Lessons for Catholic Leaders
When King James I of Aragon persisted in sin on Majorca, Raymond spread his cloak on the sea and sailed 160 miles back to Barcelona—shaming the king to repentance.
Patron of canon lawyers, medical record librarians, and those falsely accused.
