St. Raymund Nonnatus, who devoted his life to the ransoming of Christians held prisoner by the Mohammedans, was one of the first members of the Order of Our Lady of Ransom founded by St. Peter Nolasco and St. Raymund of Penafort. Having been sent to Africa he obtained the freedom of many captives; he offered his own person as a pledge for ransom that was not forthcoming in order to preserve from apostasy those whose faith was wavering. When he was set free he was made a Cardinal by Gregory IX and died on his return to Rome in 1240.