Pennaforte, Raymond of

Pennaforte, Raymond Of, a celebrated ecclesiastical character of the 13th century, was born at Barcelona, and was educated at the university of his native place from 1204 to 1219. He then went to Bologna, and there taught for some time. Ere he had left home he had been vicar-general of his native place. On his return he entered the Dominican Order, then but recently founded. By request of his superiors he wrote Summa casuum poenitentiae. In 1230 pope Gregory IX called him to Rome, and made him his chaplain and confessor. His holiness also entrusted him with a collection of the papal decisions not given by Gratian, and they were published under the title Decretalium Gregorii IX compilatio. In 1235 he was elevated to the archbishopric of Tarragona, but he refused the honor, and retired to his convent. In 1238 he was, however, obliged to accept the honor of a general of his order. But though he accepted the office, he finally resigned it, and devoted himself to the conversion of Moors and Jews, and to his studies. He died Jan. 6,1275. Pope Clement VIII enrolled him among the saints, and he is commemorated Jan. 20. See Butler, Lives of the Saints, Jan. 20, vol. i.