October 24: Saint Anthony Mary Claret

“A son of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a man who is consumed with love and who sets on fire everything in his path. He is a man who unceasingly expends himself to light the fire of divine love in the world. Nothing stops him; he places his joy in privations, he undertakes all works for the glory of God; he embraces willingly every sacrifice, he is happy in the midst of calumnies; he exults in torments. He can think of but one thing — working, suffering, and seeking at all times the greater glory of God and the salvation of souls, to imitate Our Lord Jesus Christ.”


Today, October 24, we celebrate the feast day of Saint Anthony Mary Claret (1807-1870), monk, mystic, missionary, religious founder, social reformer, and “spiritual father of Cuba.” A priest for 35 years, he packed a lifetime of work into his vocation, inspiring all he met to the truth of the faith.

Anthony was born in Salient in Catalonia, Spain. The son of a weaver, he learned the family profession, but hearing the call of the Lord, began studying for the priesthood. He greatly desired to become a Jesuit, but due to poor health, was prevented from entering the order. Instead, he was ordained a secular priest, and went on to become one of Spain’s most successful and popular preachers!

Saint Anthony spent 10 years preaching popular missions and retreats, placing great emphasis on the Eucharist and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He carried with him, at all times, a Holy Rosary, from which he drew strength and faith. At the age of 42, beginning with five young priests, he founded the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (known today as the Claretians), and the Apostolic Training Institute of the Immaculate Conception (known as the Claretian nuns). Miracles surrounded his work, and he possessed the gift of prophecy and the reading of hearts. He often saw Our Lord and Our Blessed Mother (to whom he was especially devoted), receiving from them instruction, encouragement, and prophecies. At the request of our Blessed Mother, he spread devotion to the Holy Rosary and was considered to be a latter day Saint Dominic.

Saint Anthony was eager to undertake missionary work, and traveled throughout the world. During his mission work, he accepted no money and walked everywhere -- from town to town through rugged terrain. He had only one pair of shoes, one set of clothes and a few books. He neither ate meat nor drank wine, and slept only 3 - 5 hours per night. Always searching for manners to increase his penance, he was observed to allow swarms of mosquitoes to bite him, offering the misery as sacrifice to the Lord. He wore a hot cloak in the suffer to increase his suffering, and viewed the snowdrifts that he was forced to climb over and through in the winter as a test to increase his patience.

Known for his commitment to social reform, as well as his considerable apostolic zeal, he was appointed Archbishop of the much-neglected archdiocese of Santiago, Cuba. Saint Anthony undertook reform as soon as he arrived, preaching to all who would listen, and spending long hours in the confessional. Working for social justice, he undertook education of slaves, worked to end the practice of concubinage (which was an affront to human dignity), and commuted the inhumane sentences of prisoners in Cuban jails. In these practices, he gained powerful enemies, some of which hired an assassin to kill him. The assassin, whose release from prison Anthony had obtained, attacked the saintly man, slashing open his face and wrist, but not killing him. For his part, Saint Anthony worked to commute his attacker’s death sentence, offering him the forgiveness of Christ instead. Saint Anthony further empowered Cuban families to own their own land, produce food for their families, and sell the remainder to others, rather than simply producing sugar for export.

After six years in Cuba, he was summoned by Queen Isabella II to return to Spain, and serve as her advisor and confessor. Saint Anthony was opposed to the appointment, but accepted on three conditions: 1) He would not reside in the palace; 2) he would come to the palace only to hear the queen’s confession and instruct the children; and 3) he would be exempt from court functions. The queen agreed, and he did as she asked, spending his time away from the palace preaching to the populace and working for social justice and reform. Queen Isabella II once said to Anthony, "No one tells me things as clearly and frankly as you do." During his service to the queen, he accompanied her to Paris in exile, and preached to the citizens there as well. There, she asked him, "Everybody is always asking me for favors, but you never do. Isn't there something you would like for yourself?" He replied, "Yes, that you let me resign." With that, the queen released him from his service to her.

Saint Anthony wrote and published over 200 books and pamphlets during his lifetime, as well as founded the Religious Publishing House, a Catholic publishing agency in Spain. It is estimated that he wrote over 25,000 sermons. He participated in the Vatican I council, where he was a staunch defender of the faith and of the doctrine of papal infallibility.

Though he avoided politics, both Spanish political parties considered him to be the country’s most influential man. He was so hated by the revolutionaries that they tried to kill him no less than 14 times and were still searching for him as he lay dying, an old man in exile.

He died in exile, at the Cistercian monastery of Fontfroide in southern France at the age of 63, saying “Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, into your hands I commend my spirit.” At the moment of his death, church bells throughout the city rang of their own accord. His remains were laid to rest at the monastery in Fontfroide. Fittingly, his tombstone was inscribed with the words: “I have loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore I die in exile.” The body, exhumed twenty-seven years later to be translated back to Spain, was found to be perfectly incorrupt.

Saint Anthony Mary Claret achieved great success, converting thousands, reforming governments and societies, and advocating for the dignity of all people. In his writings, he proclaimed that the source of his achievement was love. He wrote: : "Love is the most necessary of all virtues. Love in the person who preaches the word of God is like fire in a musket. If a person were to throw a bullet with his hands, he would hardly make a dent in anything; but if the person takes the same bullet and ignites some gunpowder behind it, it can kill. It is much the same with the word of God. If it is spoken by someone who is filled with the fire of charity- the fire of love of God and neighbor- it will work wonders."

Pope Pius XII on the day of St. Anthony Claret's canonization: “A great soul born to unite contrasting elements, he was humble in origin, yet illustrious in the eyes of the world. Small in stature, but a giant in spirit. Modest in appearance, but very capable of instilling respect, also in the great ones of the earth. Strong in character, but with the gentleness of someone who knows the restraint of austerity and penance. Always in the presence of God, even in the midst of prodigious activity. Slandered and admired, Celebrated and persecuted, and among such great marvels, a gentle light that illumines all, his devotion to the Mother of God.”

Saint Anthony Mary Claret, during your life on earth you often comforted the afflicted and showed such tender love and compassion for the sick and sinful. Intercede for me now that you rejoice in the reward of your virtues in heavenly glory. Look with pity on me [or on the person afflicted with illness or whose conversion is desired] and grant my prayer, if such be the will of God. Make my troubles your own. Speak a word for me to the Immaculate Heart of Mary to obtain by her powerful intercession the grace I yearn for so ardently, and a blessing to strengthen me during life, assist me at the hour of death, and lead me to a happy eternity.


Father, you endowed Anthony Claret with the strength of love and patience to preach the gospel to many nations. By the help of his prayers may we work generously for your kingdom and gain our brothers and sisters for Christ. Amen.

 



Day 297 of 365
Prayer Intentions: Social Justice; Hearts of Service
Requested Intentions: Successful immigration and employment (S); Conversion of an unloving daughter (M); Recovery of husband, health of mother, economic freedom (R); Freedom from depression, restoration of family relationships (N); Restoration of a relationship (J); Healing of friends from cancer (J); Complete healing of a friend with pancreatic cancer (J); Recognition of God’s Will; Obedience in vocation (J); Successful employment (M&I); For a son who struggles (S); Conversion (P); For family, peace, and social justice (J); Son’s employment (K); Discernment of the Lord’s will (A); Mother’s full recovery from a stroke (K); Employment (P); For family’s prosperity and employment (M); For a husband’s addiction (F); Health in a relationship, literary representation (D); For a mother struggling with cancer (P); Employment and financial assistance (L); End to work troubles, return to health (R); For a husband’s recovery from alcoholism (M); Healing of a father battling cancer (S).