Roman Catholic Cardinal and Saint. A native of Portell, chroniclers vary the year of his birth between 1200 and 1204. Called "Nonato", literally not born (non-natus), as he was delivered by a caesarean operation following his mother's death in childbirth, through the years, "Nonato" became his last name and he never changed it. Joining the Order of Our Lady of Mercy in Barcelona, having met and befriended its founder, Saint Pedro Nolasco, succeeding the latter as chief ransomer, he went to Algeria to release slaves. There he remained voluntarily as a hostage for several slaves when his money ran out. Sentenced to be impaled by the local governor upon hearing that he had converted several Muslims, he escaped the death sentence thanks to the ransoms he brought, but was tortured for pursuing his evangelizing activities, having his mouth padlocked. Ransomed eight months later by Pedro Nolasco himself, upon returning to Barcelona in 1239 he was created Cardinal by Pope Gregory IX with the deaconry of Sant'Eustachio. Called to Rome by the Pontiff, he died the following year at the castle of Cardona, a short distance away from Barcelona, while on his way to the Eternal City. According to an old tradition, the local count, the friars and the villagers wanted to bury him in Cardona. Seeking the resolve the matter, his body was placed on a blind mule, let aloose, which unguided, went to a nearby country chapel where Ramón had prayed in his youth, then known as San Nicolás, and was thus interred there. With the chapel evolving in the years that followed in a monastery dedicated to him, known as Sant Ramon de Portell, his mausoleum was destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. The surviving relics were unfortunately stolen in August 2007 and never recovered. Canonized in 1657, Nonnatus is the patron saint of expectant mothers, midwives and infants because of the nature of his own birth. His feast day is celebrated on August 31. To this day, he remains a much beloved and sought figure, with the municipality of his birthplace presently called Sant Ramon, as well as towns in various countries, including Canada, Costa Rica, Argentina and Brazil. Several churches, cathedrals and shrines carry his name, as well as societies and prayer groups invoking his intercession. In regards of his padlock torture, to this day, many are the locks that are placed at his altar seeking to stop gossip, rumors and false testimonies.