The fairly-popular saint, San Ramon Nonato, was delivered
by ceasarian section in 1204, as his mother died during childbirth. Thus, his
last name –non natus—not born. Due to the nature of his birth, he is invoked for
safe childbirth by mothers and midwives. The saint joined the Mercedarian order
in Barcelona, under San Pedro Nolasco, whom he succeeded.
San Ramon went to Algeria to ransom slaves, offering
himself as hostage for their release. While there, he converted several Mohammedans
that caused his capture and torture. On his return to Spain in 1239, he was
named Cardinal by Pope Gregory IX, but died on his way to Rome.
He is often depicted wearing a the habit of a
Mercedarian, wearing a cardinal's red mozzetta. He is also shown holding a monstrance and a palm symbolizing his
martyrdom.
This chapel-size Philippine San Ramon Nonato, stands 18
inches tall (missing a base). It shows the saint wearing the red short cape of
a cardinal. He is outfitted with glass eyes. He retains his original monstrance
made of tin on his right hand. The santo, with its original paint, was purchased from Cristobal Antiques at the Mabini Art Center in the 1980s.
In Latin American art, he is shown with a padlock on his
lips. This is in one reference to a legend that
San Ramon continued to preach the Christian faith while imprisoned, so
his lips were sealed by his jailors who bored
a hole through saint's lips with a hot iron, and attached a padlock to silence
him. Because of this, he is also invoked against false accusations, lies,
gossip, slander, ill talk and secrecy of confessions.
There are several parishes in the Philippines under the
patronage of San Ramon Nonato, including the parish of Su-ay in Negros Occidental
and in Sorsogon City. There is also a shrine dedicated to him in Tagas, Daraga.
Albay. Feast day: August 31.
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