St. Anthony Mary Claret, patron saint of weavers, was born in Sallent, Spain. From childhood, he displayed kindness, memorized the catechism, and nurtured a deep devotion to the Blessed Mother through daily rosaries. While helping in his father’s factory, he gained expertise in manufacturing and leadership. At eighteen, he studied in Barcelona, learning design, languages, and technical skills. During this time, he felt called to the Carthusian life but, guided by his spiritual director, entered the diocesan seminary in Vich, eventually discerning God’s will for the priesthood. He was ordained in 1835. In 1839, he pursued missionary work in Rome and briefly joined the Jesuits. A leg ailment, seen as a divine sign, redirected him to Spain, where he conducted missions in Viladrau and beyond, healing the sick, exorcising demons, preaching, and distributing catechetical materials. Recognized as an “Apostolic Missionary,” he traveled throughout Catalonia and later the Canary Islands, spreading the Gospel with zeal. In 1849, he founded the Congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretian Missionaries) to train priests for preaching and evangelization. Shortly after, he became Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, dedicating six years to clergy reform, parish visits, social initiatives, and fighting slavery. Later, he served as spiritual advisor to Queen Isabel II in Spain, continued missions, and attended Vatican I, supporting papal infallibility. He spent his final months in France at the Cistercian monastery of Fontfroide. St. Anthony Mary Claret’s life centered on prayer and union with God, bearing abundant spiritual fruit.
Prayer:
O God, who for the evangelization of peoples strengthened Saint Anthony Mary Claret with charity and perseverance, grant that we, seeking Your will, may devote ourselves to winning souls for Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment