Chiesa di San Raimondo Nonnato

The parish was erected on September 30, 1964 with the decree of the Cardinal Vicar Clemente Micara Paterna sollicitudine and entrusted to the Mercedarian priests.The territory, taken from that of the parishes of S. Ferdinando Re and S. Barbara, with the decree of the Cardinal Vicar Ugo Poletti of October 20, 1989, was determined within the following new boundaries: Via delle Capannelle, starting from Via Lucrezia Romana - Via di Torre Spaccata (for 50 meters) - ideal line parallel to Via Tuscolana up to the G.R.A. - G.R.A. - Via Lucrezia Romana - Via delle Capannelle.Since 2019, the territories beyond Via Lucrezia Romana and up to the Rome - Capannelle railway (formerly territories of the parish of Santa Barbara) have also been added to the Parish. Until 2003, the Parish was governed by the Mercedarian Fathers; Since September 1, 2003, the leadership of the parish has been assigned to the diocesan clergy.The name Nonnato comes from the fact that, according to the legend about his existence, his mother died before the birth of the child and that a sword was used to give birth to him, from the woman's body. This fact represented a particular form of caesarean section. From this, this name was derived.
Born in Portell, around 1204, his family was related to the noble house of Cardona. There is no precise information about his youth until around the age of 20 when he asked to enter the Order of Mercy. It was 1224.
The only information we have is that, from a young age, he showed a good legal and canonical culture, so much so that he was sent to Rome, by his Order, to plead a legal case.
Having entered this religious family, he devoted himself, with love and passion, to the tasks of the new foundation, namely that of the Redemption of Slaves. This brotherhood had arisen a few years earlier by the will of Saint Peter Nolasco, whose aim was to offer an answer to that difficult social reality. Born as a lay Order, only later did they become a clerical order.
At the beginning of their apostolate, life in the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy was particularly hard as these men also committed themselves, with a special vow, to redeem slaves by paying a price: if the necessary money was lacking, they offered themselves as a ransom. This fate befell both Saint Raymond and Saint Peter Nolasco, who, looking at the Crucifix, offered themselves as a ransom as the Lord offered himself for the Redemption of humanity.
In addition to his great love for Christ, so demonstrated, the Spanish saint was a great devotee of the Madonna whom he venerated under the title of Our Lady of Mercy.
Saint Raymond completed many missions and at least in three considered the most difficult (one in Valencia and two in Algiers) he ransomed over 700 men. When he ran out of money, he offered himself, remaining in slavery for more than eight months. In this situation, enduring atrocious trials, he strengthened the faith of his companions by preaching the gospel, so much so that he was silenced with a padlock placed on his lips that was opened only to be able to have a very modest meal.
Trials, torture and difficulties, however, did not prevent him from being able to do good, choosing that last place which in the Kingdom of Heaven is by special condition: the first.
Freed by his brothers, around 1239, and probably created cardinal in the same year, he died on August 31, 1240 in the castle of Cardona, asking for what he had loved most during his short life: the Eucharist.
His body was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. He was canonized on August 13, 1669 and is invoked as the protector of difficult births and midwives.