Saint Who?
Saints Who Established Schools
Saint Ramon Llull
Religious († c. 1325)Feast: June 30
Born in Majorca in the 13th century, Ramon Llull appeared an unlikely candidate for sainthood. In his youth, he was more interested in romantic conquests (even after his marriage) and political advancement than holiness. But one day, as he sat composing a love song for yet another woman, he experienced repeated visions of Christ crucified. Soon his wayward passions became ordered towards one goal: the love of Christ.
He became a Third Order Franciscan and began to devote himself to spreading the Gospel. A biographer describes his threefold plan: “converting unbelievers to Christ…writing books against the errors of the infidels…and funding monasteries in which the different languages necessary for this mission could be taught.” Ramon was close to the king and obtained his approval and funding for a school of language education for missionaries, especially Franciscans. He successfully petitioned the Council of Vienne (1311-12) to further this plan and establish more language schools.
Llull also wrote influential works of philosophy and theology. Despite great fear and sickness, he made several missionary journeys to Africa. His last was taken when he was seventy-nine. Some accounts say that he was martyred at this point, but the claim is not well attested. Centuries later his story inspired another missionary, and fellow Majorcan—Saint Junípero Serra.
Heavenly Father, bestow on your Church the gift of tongues and understanding, that she may draw the nations to the unity of the Christian faith.
