Saint Anthony Mary Claret

Anthony Claret, born on December 23, 1807, in Sallent in Catalonia, came from a deeply religious family of weavers. From his earliest years he showed a special devotion to the Eucharist, to the Mother of God, and to the poor. At first he worked in the family workshop, but later he achieved success in the textile industry in Barcelona. Despite this success, he realized that it meant little in the light of eternity, and he decided to give up his plans in order to devote himself to the service of God.

He entered the diocesan seminary in Vic and began his studies for the priesthood. Despite the difficulties he encountered, such as illness and persecution, Anthony Claret chose the life of a missionary. He preached the Word of God as he traveled throughout Catalonia, founding many parish groups, confraternities, and social organizations. His zeal for evangelization led the Spanish government to take action against him.

Claret was then appointed Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, where he continued his missionary efforts, fighting slavery and social injustice. He founded technical and agricultural schools and orphanages, worked for the spiritual renewal of the clergy, and introduced social reforms. During this time he also founded a women’s religious congregation, the Religious of Mary Immaculate.

After several years in Cuba, Claret was summoned to Madrid, where he became confessor to Queen Isabella II. However, as a result of the revolution in Spain in 1868, he was forced to leave the country. He went to France and then to Rome, where he took part in the First Vatican Council and defended the dogma of papal infallibility.

He died on October 24, 1870, at the monastery of Fontfroide in France. His body was buried in the local cemetery. Claret was beatified in 1934 and canonized in 1950 by Pope Pius XII. His relics are now in Vic, Spain. Anthony Claret is recognized as a saint who gave his life in the service of God and neighbor, preaching the Gospel and undertaking many initiatives for the common good.