<p>Raymond was born in 1175 in Peñafort, near Barcelona, Spain. He was a professor of philosophy by the age of 20, and in 1210 went to Bologna to study law. Raymond became an archdeacon in 1219 and a Dominican priest in 1222. He travelled throughout Spain preaching to Moors and Christians. In 1235, having been confessor to Pope Gregory IX, he was appointed Archbishop of Tarragona, but resigned a year later because of illness.</p>
<p>An outstanding philosopher and lawyer, he was responsible for the organization of papal decrees which became the basis for the original code of canon law. His own writings were often used as practical guidelines for the administration of the sacrament of penance (reconciliation). He was a contemporary of Thomas Aquinas and encouraged Thomas to write the <em>Summa Contra Gentiles</em>. While master general of the Dominicans, Raymond revised the order's constitution; his revision was in effect until 1924. He died at Barcelona on January 6, 1275, in his 100th year, and was canonized in 1601.©2011 <em>Living with Christ, </em>Novalis - Bayard Press Canada Inc., <strong>http://www.livingwithchrist.ca/</strong>. Reprinted with permission.</p>
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