By Anne DeSantis • Posted July 23, 2026

How many of us know someone whose family is hurting? Perhaps it is a marriage under strain, an expectant mother facing a difficult pregnancy, parents grieving over a child, or someone carrying the pain of being misunderstood or falsely accused. Family struggles touch every parish and nearly every neighborhood.

Yet the Church gives us saints whose lives continue to inspire hope. One of them is St. Raymond Nonnatus, whose feast day is celebrated each year on Aug. 31.

Although St. Raymond Nonnatus is not as well known as many other saints, his witness is remarkably relevant today. While his feast is no longer celebrated on the Church’s universal liturgical calendar, devotion to him remains strong, especially in Spain and throughout many Spanish-speaking countries. Catholics continue to seek his intercession for families in crisis, expectant mothers, unborn children, and those who have been falsely accused.

St. Raymond was born around 1204 in Portell, Catalonia, Spain. His name, Nonnatus, meaning “not born,” recalls his extraordinary birth by Caesarean section after his mother’s death. He is honored as the patron saint of expectant mothers, unborn children, infants, and those praying for safe deliveries.

Raymond joined the Mercedarian Order, dedicated to rescuing Christians held captive for their faith. He even offered himself in exchange for prisoners. While imprisoned, he continued preaching Christ until his captors pierced his lips and fastened them shut with a padlock. Even this could not silence his witness, and he remained faithful until his rescue.

A Saint for Our Times

The story of St. Raymond Nonnatus is not simply one from the 13th century. It speaks directly to the challenges of the 21st century.

Families today face countless struggles, including marital conflict, grief, illness, financial hardship, strained relationships, and loved ones who have drifted from the faith. Others quietly carry the pain of being misunderstood or falsely accused. Through every trial, St. Raymond reminds us that Christ never abandons those who place their trust in Him.

His witness is especially meaningful as we continue to defend the dignity of every human life. St. John Paul II warned of a “culture of death,” reminding us that every life is sacred from conception until natural death. Many expectant mothers face fear and uncertainty and need our compassion, encouragement, and prayers. Every unborn child deserves protection, love, and the opportunity to be born. Through St. Raymond’s intercession, may mothers find hope, families discover strength, and every child be welcomed as a precious gift from God.

The life of St. Raymond reminds us that even in our deepest trials, God is still writing a story of hope.

A Call to Forgive

St. Raymond also teaches us something our world desperately needs: forgiveness and reconciliation. Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there a relationship God may be inviting you to restore? Or perhaps you have misunderstood someone and are being called to make things right.

Reconciliation is not always possible. Some situations require healthy boundaries for the safety and well-being of those involved. Yet our culture can too quickly accept division without asking whether God is inviting us to take the first step toward healing.

Both Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV have reminded us that peace begins with dialogue, humility, and a willingness to encounter one another. Their message is not only for world leaders but for each of us. Peace begins within our hearts, our marriages, our families, our workplaces, and our parishes. When reconciliation is possible, may we have the courage to seek it through mercy, forgiveness, and love.

Here in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the Mercedarian Friars continue to foster devotion to St. Raymond Nonnatus from Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Overbrook.

Inspired by Pope Francis’ call to accompany families with compassion, the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation was established in 2015 to offer free pastoral consultations with a priest for individuals and families in crisis. Through this ministry, many have found hope and healing.

As we celebrate the feast of St. Raymond Nonnatus, let us ask his intercession for families in crisis, expectant mothers, unborn children, those who have been falsely accused, and all who carry hidden crosses. May he help us defend the dignity of every human life, strengthen our families, forgive generously, and, whenever possible, take the first step toward reconciliation.

Perhaps St. Raymond Nonnatus is not the saint we hear about most often, but he may be one of the saints our families need most today.

A Prayer for Families

St. Raymond Nonnatus, faithful servant of Christ and patron of families in crisis, pray for us. Intercede for expectant mothers, unborn children, married couples, families experiencing hardship, those who have been falsely accused, and all who carry hidden burdens. Help us defend the dignity of every human life, forgive as Christ forgives, and, whenever possible, seek reconciliation so that peace may begin in our homes and spread throughout our communities. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Dr. Anne DeSantis is a national Catholic speaker and author who attends St. Mary Parish in Schwenksville. She is the executive director of the St. Raymond Nonnatus Foundation for Freedom, Family, and Faith, a nonprofit dedicated to offering pastoral support and accompaniment to individuals and families in crisis. To learn more, visit AnneDeSantis.com.