In the 1840s, anti-Clerical sentiments began to stir in Europe, especially spain, where Anthony Claret was a diocesan priest. So Fr. Anthony went to preach the Gospel in the Canary Islands. This time in a foreign land enkindled a fervor for missionary work, and returning to spain, St. Anthony Claret founded the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart, which exist to this day as a missionary order.
Pio Nono, Blessed Pope Pius IX became aware of Anthony Claret’s apostolic dynamism and competancy and appointed him to the very difficult position of Archbishop of Santiago, Cuba, a Spanish colony at the time.
Arriving in Cuba, he found the archdiocese to be in a less-than stellar state: lax discipline among the clergy, the seminary was in poor condition, spiritually and otherwise, economic poverty throughout the archdiocese was being unaddressed, and something like 9000 irregular marriages. The first official act of the new Archbishop was to consecrate his diocese to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He then began the systematic reconstruction of the Diocese, visiting every parish, personally conducting retreats for all the Clergy, and missions for the faithful of the extensive and extremely difficult territory. He instituted a Seminary for the native Cuban clergy and founded an order of teaching Sisters. He published a simple illustrated catechism and devised a system for teaching religion which was later approved by the Vatican Council for the entire Church. He established hospitals, cooperative Farms, Parish Credit Unions, and Boys' Town and Girls' Town, and addressed the rampant unemployment by establishing quality schools—teaching trades to the poor.
His personal sanctity, fueled by prayer, were well attested to. He would give off light when he preached and celebrated mass. He fended off earthquakes and storms through prayer. He had visions of Our Lord and the Blessed Mother, and purportedly walked on water.
He fought the injustices of wealthy European land owners, and defended the rights of the working classes. This made enemies, unleashing a host of bitter attacks upon the Holy Archbishop and his pastoral efforts. Every available means was used to discredit his name and render him inactive. He was stabbed in the face by a would-be assassin. His enemies rested only when they had succeeded in having him banished from the country. And even then, their relentless persecution followed him into exile.
From his exile in Paris, the Archbishop traveled to Rome for the first Vatican Council. Soon after he suffered a stroke, and died in a Cistercian Monastery.
Saint Anthony Claret described the ideal Claretian in these words, "A son of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a man on fire with love, who spreads its flames wherever he goes. He desires mightily and strives by all means possible to set everyone on fire with God's love. Nothing daunts him: he delights in privations, welcomes work, embraces sacrifices, smiles at slander, rejoices in all the torments and sorrows he suffers, and glories in the cross of Jesus Christ. His only concern is how he may follow Christ and imitate him in praying, working, enduring and striving constantly and solely for the greater glory of God and the salvation of humankind." What a beautiful directive we all do well to emulate.
And if that is too lofty, the saint said, “Christian perfection consists in three things: praying heroically, working heroically, suffering heroically”.
Through the intercession of bishop and missionary St. Anthony Mary Claret, may we be set on fire with zeal for building up the Church, embracing hardship for spreading the Gospel for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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That all Church leaders may help us to spread the flame of faith in all our endeavors.
That we might not be daunted by difficulty in working for the spread of the Gospel and for Christian missionaries to be sustained in their work.
For an increase in vocations to the priesthood and consecrated life, and a sanctification of all marriages and single Catholics.
For all those struggling with addiction, mental illness, chronic sickness, unemployment, or ongoing trials of any kind: that they will be fortified and blessed with God’s special love, favor, and peace. We pray to the Lord.
For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased clergy and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom.
O God, you know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.
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