St Raymond was born in the year 1175 in Catalonia. He was educated in Barcelona and Bologna, and was doctor of civil and canon law.

In 1222 he entered the Order of Preachers. At the request of Pope Gregory IX he made a collection of Church laws (canons) which were until that time scattered in different publications. He became Master of the Order in 1238, resigning in 1240.

He subsequently became involved in dialogue with Judaism and Islam, and under his influence, Arabic and Hebrew were studied in the higher educational institutes of the Order.

He died on the feast of the Epiphany (6th January) 1275, and was canonised by Pope Clement VIII in 1601. His feast day is 7th January.