St. Anthony Mary Claret
Archbishop and Founder of the Claretians
Feast Day: October 24
Biography
St. Anthony Mary Claret (1807–1870) was born in Sallent, in Catalonia, Spain, the son of a weaver, and worked in the textile trade in Barcelona as a young man. Feeling called to the priesthood, he studied at the seminary of Vic and was ordained in 1835. He hoped to become a missionary abroad, but illness ended his attempt to join the Jesuits, and he spent years as an itinerant preacher in Catalonia and the Canary Islands, preaching thousands of sermons. In 1849 he founded the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, known as the Claretians. Soon after, he was named archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, where he served from 1851 to 1857, visiting his vast diocese repeatedly, working to reform the clergy, defending the rights of slaves and the poor, and founding savings banks for the poor. In 1856 he was seriously wounded in an assassination attempt in Holguín. Recalled to Spain as confessor to Queen Isabella II, he went into exile with her after the revolution of 1868. He attended the First Vatican Council and died in exile at the Cistercian monastery of Fontfroide, France, on October 24, 1870. He founded a religious publishing house and wrote many books and pamphlets. He was canonized in 1950.
Patronages
Symbols
Prayer
St. Anthony Mary Claret, apostle of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, you spent yourself preaching the Gospel by word and in print. Pray for all who use words and media to spread the truth. Help me to share my faith with zeal and charity, to care for the poor, and to remain steadfast when I face opposition. Amen.
Asking for Intercession
Catholics ask saints to pray with us and for us, as we ask friends on earth. St. Anthony Mary Claret, who lives in God's presence, intercedes before His throne. Speak from your heart: “St. Anthony Mary Claret, please pray for me…” You may also pray the prayer above or include this intention in your Rosary.