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SAINT ANTHONY MARY CLARET

Saint Anthony Mary Claret


By Edward Matulanya 

Here are the early Life, Legacy of Saint Anthony Mary Claret.

Early Life and Formation Saint Anthony Mary Claret.

Antonio María Claret y Clará was born on 23 December 1807 in Sallent, Catalonia, Spain, into a modest weaving family. He was the fifth of eleven children, and from youth he worked in his father’s textile workshop, while studying languages and religious texts in his spare time (Catholic Online, n.d.; Claretian Missionaries, n.d.). His early spiritual sensitivities included devotion to the Eucharist and the Virgin Mary (Misioneras Claretianas, n.d.).

Because the family depended on all hands, he could not immediately devote himself to study; yet when circumstances permitted, he entered the seminary at Vic and was ordained a priest on 13 June 1835 (Samcsa, n.d.; Franciscan Media, n.d.).

Ministry as Preacher and Missionary of Saint Anthony Mary Claret.

Following ordination, Claret became a highly active itinerant preacher. He traveled throughout Catalonia, giving missions and retreats, hearing confessions (sometimes for many hours), and promoting spiritual renewal (Aleteia, n.d.; FaithND, n.d.). He felt called to missionary work more broadly, but health troubles prevented him from joining religious orders like the Jesuits or Carthusians, so he focused his zeal on parish missions (Franciscan Media, n.d.; FaithND, n.d.).

While working in the Canary Islands (1848–1849), he expanded his missionary reach (Claretian Missionaries, n.d.).

Founding the Claretian Congregation of Saint Anthony Mary Claret.

In 1849, Claret founded the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, commonly known as the Claretians. The institute began in a room at the seminary in Vic, with six priests at the start (Claretian Missionaries, n.d.; Encyclopedia.com, n.d.). The order’s charism centered on missionary preaching, spiritual renewal, devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and education (Encyclopedia.com, n.d.).

The constitutions of the Congregation evolved over time. Initially, members were admitted without formal vows, but by 1862, a novitiate year and private vows of obedience, chastity, and poverty were required. The definitive approval of the constitutions by Pope Pius IX came on 8 May 1870 (Encyclopedia.com, n.d.). The Congregation would later spread internationally; by the mid-20th century Claretians were active in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and more (Encyclopedia.com, n.d.; Claretian Missionaries, n.d.; Wikipedia, n.d.).

Episcopal Ministry in Cuba of Saint Anthony Mary Claret.

In 1850, Claret was appointed Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, where he confronted serious pastoral, social, and ecclesial challenges (Franciscan Media, n.d.; Claretian Missionaries, n.d.). The diocese was deeply disturbed by issues such as slavery, public immorality, weak clergy discipline, and social injustice (Claretian Missionaries, n.d.; Catholic Online, n.d.).

He undertook broad reforms: he visited all parts of his diocese (often more than once), conducted missionary campaigns, reformed seminaries, encouraged the establishment of religious communities (e.g. the Sisters of Mary Immaculate), and founded popular libraries and welfare projects (Claretian Missionaries, n.d.; National Shrine, n.d.; Catholic Online, n.d.). He also opposed corruption and concubinage, which made him enemies; he survived an assassination attempt in Holguín (Claretian Missionaries, n.d.; Franciscan Media, n.d.).

Return to Spain, Court Life, and Later Years of Saint Anthony Mary Claret.

In 1857, at the request of the Holy See, Claret returned to Spain and became confessor to Queen Isabella II (Franciscan Media, n.d.; National Shrine, n.d.). Although he had influence at court, he maintained a life of austerity, and continued preaching, publishing (more than 200 works), and founding educational, cultural, and charitable projects (FaithND, n.d.; National Shrine, n.d.; Catholic Online, n.d.).

With political upheaval in 1868, the queen was deposed, and Claret accompanied her into exile (Franciscan Media, n.d.; FaithND, n.d.). He participated in the First Vatican Council (1869–70), defending doctrines such as papal infallibility (Pierced Hearts, n.d.; Aleteia, n.d.).

He died on 24 October 1870, at a Cistercian monastery of Fontfroide, France, in exile (Pierced Hearts, n.d.; Franciscan Media, n.d.; Catholic Online, n.d.).

Canonization, Feast, and Patronage of Saint Anthony Mary Claret.

Beatified: 25 February 1934 by Pope Pius XI (Pierced Hearts, n.d.; Catholic Online, n.d.).

Canonized: 7 May 1950 by Pope Pius XII (Pierced Hearts, n.d.; Catholic Online, n.d.).

Feast Day of Saint Anthony Mary Claret. 

The Liturgical Celebration of  Saint Anthony Mary Claret is on 24 October (Franciscan Media, n.d.; Catholic Online, n.d.).

Patronages of Saint Anthony Mary Claret.

Textile workers, weavers, Catholic press, savings, the Claretian order, and related apostolates (Catholic Online, n.d.; National Shrine, n.d.).

Legacy and Influence of Saint Anthony Mary Claret.

St. Anthony Mary Claret left a rich legacy of missionary zeal, social concern, and theological writings. His Congregation (the Claretians) continues worldwide to evangelize, educate, and promote Marian devotion (Claretian Missionaries, n.d.; Encyclopedia.com, n.d.). The Congregation’s expansion included early missions in Spanish Guinea (Equatorial Africa) and Latin America, and further growth into Asia, the Philippines, and beyond (Encyclopedia.com, n.d.; Claretian Missionaries, n.d.).

His insistence on integrated apostolic life — preaching, writing, social initiatives — has inspired many modern Catholic efforts combining faith with social justice.

References

Aleteia. (n.d.). Saint of the Day: St. Anthony Mary Claret. https://aleteia.org/daily-prayer/thursday-october-24-2/

Catholic Online. (n.d.). St. Anthony Mary Claret. https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=1452

Claretian Missionaries. (n.d.). St. Anthony Mary Claret. https://www.claret.org/our-congregation/st-anthony-mary-claret/

Encyclopedia.com. (n.d.). Claretians. https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/claretians

FaithND. (n.d.). St. Anthony Mary Claret. https://faith.nd.edu/saint/st-anthony-mary-claret/

Franciscan Media. (n.d.). Saint of the Day — Saint Anthony Mary Claret. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-anthony-mary-claret/

Misioneras Claretianas. (n.d.). S. Anthony Mary Claret. https://misionerasclaretianasrmi.org/en/s-anthony-m-claret/

National Shrine of Saint Jude. (n.d.). St. Anthony Mary Claret. https://shrineofstjude.org/learn/saints/st-anthony-claret/

Pierced Hearts. (n.d.). Saint Anthony Mary Claret. https://www.piercedhearts.org/theology_heart/life_saints/anthony_claret.html

Samcsa. (n.d.). Biography of St. Anthony Mary Claret. https://samcsa.com/home/welcome/biography-of-st-anthony-mary-claret/ 

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