St. Anthony Mary Claret
"Christian perfection consists in three things: praying heroically, working heroically, and suffering heroically." -St. Anthony Mary Claret
St. Anthony Mary Claret - October 24
St. Anthony Mary Claret, founder of the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians), is known for his dynamic preaching, deep devotion to Mary, and his passionate commitment to evangelization and social reform. His life was a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel and the importance of bringing Christ’s love to every corner of the world.
Early Life and Call to Mission
St. Anthony Mary Claret was born on December 23, 1807, in Sallent, Spain. He grew up working as a weaver, like his father, but always felt a deeper call to religious life. He was eventually ordained as a priest in 1835 and immediately distinguished himself as a gifted preacher and spiritual director. His sermons attracted large crowds, and his profound spiritual insights helped lead many to a deeper relationship with Christ.
Fr. Claret’s zeal for souls led him to become a missionary preacher. He traveled extensively throughout Spain and the Canary Islands, preaching retreats and missions with extraordinary success. His words were not just eloquent; they were infused with the Holy Spirit, touching hearts and inspiring countless conversions.
Founder and Archbishop
In 1849, St. Anthony founded the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, commonly known as the Claretian Missionaries. The congregation’s mission was to continue his work of evangelization, especially through preaching and the distribution of good literature, a passion that Claret held deeply. He firmly believed that reading good books was essential for nurturing faith and combating ignorance.
Shortly after founding the Claretians, Fr. Claret was appointed Archbishop of Santiago, Cuba. Despite initial reluctance, he accepted the role, seeing it as a call to further serve God’s people. In Cuba, he confronted widespread moral and social challenges, striving to reform both clergy and laity. He established schools, hospitals, and agricultural programs, championing social justice and advocating for the rights of the poor and marginalized. His efforts made a lasting impact, but they were met with fierce opposition, even leading to multiple assassination attempts on his life.
Return to Spain and Final Years
After his time in Cuba, St. Anthony returned to Spain, where he served as confessor to Queen Isabella II. Despite the prestige of this position, he continued to live simply and devoted himself to spiritual and social reform. He was a prolific writer, authoring over 200 books and pamphlets on various aspects of Catholic faith and spirituality.
During the political upheaval in Spain, he was exiled along with the royal family and spent his final years in France. Despite the hardships, he remained steadfast in prayer and dedication to his missionary calling. St. Anthony Mary Claret died on October 24, 1870, at the Cistercian monastery in Fontfroide, France.
A Legacy of Evangelization and Social Action
St. Anthony Mary Claret’s life is a compelling example of how one person’s commitment to the Gospel can have a profound impact on society. He was canonized in 1950 by Pope Pius XII, and his feast day is celebrated on October 24th.
He inspires us to recognize the transformative power of God’s Word and to respond to the call of service, no matter the obstacles. Through his intercession, may we grow in love for Christ and courageously share the Gospel in our own lives. St. Anthony Mary Claret, pray for us!