Saturday, August 31, 2013

August 31: St. Raymond Nonnatus


History

Saint Raymond was a Spanish priest who had the job of ransoming slaves. He would go to slave owners in Algeria, pay for slaves, and then set them free. Then his money ran out, so he was taken hostage for several slaves. While he was held hostage, he preached about Jesus, and several Algerians became Christians. This made the governor very angry. He was beaten and punished, but he kept preaching. The governor had his lips padlocked shut to keep him quiet!

Activity

Many people leave padlocks for prayer intentions at the altar of
Saint Raymond Nonnatus in the Metropolitan Cathedral, Mexico City
In some countries, people who ask Saint Raymond Nonnatus to pray for them will leave a padlock on an altar at church. Make your own padlocks, then "open" them and eat them up!
1. Using kitchen shears, cut candy vines (like Twizzlers®) in half so you have two short lengths. Cut each piece in half lengthwise so that you have thinner pieces. 
2. Carefully nudge the ends of the candy into the filling of a Newton cookie so that it looks like a padlock. 
3. To enjoy these treats, "unlock" the padlocks by pulling out the candy. 


Saint Raymond Nonnatus, pray for us!

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