SAINT OF THE DAY -- Oct. 24 - St. Anthony Claret
October 24
Saint Anthony Claret
(1807 - 1870)
Patron Saint of Weavers and Savings Banks
One of the Incorruptibles“I have loved justice and hated iniquity; therefore I die in exile.”
~ Inscription on his tomb.
His remains were laid to rest at the monastery in Fontfroide.
His body was exhumed 27-years later and was
found to be perfectly incorrupt.
Saint Anthony Mary Claret is the helper of those who are suffering from cancer,
heart trouble and other serious ailments of soul and body.
The "spiritual father of Cuba" was a missionary, religious founder,
social reformer, queen’s chaplain, writer and publisher, archbishop and
refugee. He was a Spaniard whose work took him to the Canary Islands,
Cuba, Madrid, Paris and to the First Vatican Council.
In his spare
time as weaver and designer in the textile mills of Barcelona, he
learned Latin and printing: the future priest and publisher was
preparing. Ordained at 28, he was prevented by ill health from entering
religious life as a Carthusian or as a Jesuit, but went on to become
one of Spain’s most popular preachers.
He spent 10 years giving
popular missions and retreats, always placing great emphasis on the
Eucharist and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her rosary, it
was said, was never out of his hand. At 42, beginning with five young
priests, he founded a religious institute of missionaries, known today
as the Claretians.
He was appointed to head the much-neglected archdiocese of
Santiago in Cuba. He began its reform by almost ceaseless preaching and
hearing of confessions, and suffered bitter opposition mainly for
stamping out concubinage and giving instruction to black slaves. A
hired assassin (whose release from prison Anthony had obtained) slashed
open his face and wrist. Anthony succeeded in getting the would-be
assassin’s death sentence commuted to a prison term. His solution for
the misery of Cubans was family-owned farms producing a variety of
foods for the family’s own needs and for the market. This invited the
enmity of the vested interests who wanted everyone to work on a single
cash crop—sugar. Besides all his religious writings are two books he
wrote in Cuba: Reflections on Agriculture and Country Delights.
He
was called back to Spain for a job he did not relish—being chaplain for
the queen. He went on three conditions: He would reside away from the
palace, he would come only to hear the queen’s confession and instruct
the children and he would be exempt from court functions. In the
revolution of 1868, he fled with the queen’s party to Paris, where he
preached to the Spanish colony.
All his life Anthony was
interested in the Catholic press. He founded the Religious Publishing
House, a major Catholic publishing venture in Spain, and wrote or
published 200 books and pamphlets.
At Vatican I, where he was a
staunch defender of the doctrine of infallibility, he won the
admiration of his fellow bishops. Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore
remarked of him, "There goes a true saint." He died in exile near the
border of Spain at the age of 63.
Comment:
Jesus
foretold that those who are truly his representatives would suffer the
same persecution as he did. Besides 14 attempts on his life, Anthony
had to undergo such a barrage of the ugliest slander that the very name
Claret became a byword for humiliation and misfortune. The powers of
evil do not easily give up their prey.
No one needs to go looking for persecution. All we need to do is be
sure we suffer because of our genuine faith in Christ, not for our own
whims and imprudences.
St. Anthony Mary Claret is our patron Saint under many different titles:
• the patron of those who are leading mediocre lives and need to convert to serve the Catholic cause;
• the patron of the faithful who promote devotion to Our Lady;
• the patron of counter-revolutionaries because of his action in Cuba and Spain;
•the patron of the those who
follow the traditional methods of Catholic apostolate with the simple
people and spurn the liberal novelties;
• the patron of those who fight for the Papacy against liberal Bishops.
Quote:Queen
Isabella II once said to Anthony, "No one tells me things as clearly
and frankly as you do." Later she told her chaplain, "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." The queen made no more offers.
"The love of Christ arouses us, urges us to run, and to fly, lifted on
the wings of holy zeal. The man who truly loves God also loves his
neighbor. The truly zealous man is also one who loves, but he stands on
a higher plane of love so that the more he is inflamed by love, the
more urgently zeal drives him on...The zealous man desires and achieves
all great things and he labors strenuously so that God may always be
better kn own, loved and served in this world and in the life to come,
for this holy love is without end."
~ St. Anthony Claret
Prayer:
St. 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 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.
Amen.
Source: American Catholic Organization
Many great miracles have been associated with
the Rosary throughout history. The tremendous power of the Rosary can
overcome any problem, be it small or large, personal or worldwide.
Miracles continue to the present day.
The Rosary is a powerful prayer!
Each lesson is only 10¢
God bless you!
Learn to pray the Rosary--The Joyful Mysteries
Learn to pray the Rosary--The Sorrowful Mysteries
Learn to pray the Rosary--The Glorious Mysteries
Learn to pray the Rosary--The Luminous Mysteries
If you are a victim of domestic or sexual violence, please know that my husband and I pray for you every single night.
If you need immediate assistance, dial 911.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline:
1-800-799-SAFE OR (1-800-799-7233)
SIGNS OF AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP
Do you:
feel afraid of your partner much of the time?
avoid certain topics fear of angering your partner?
feel that you can’t do anything right for your partner?
believe that you deserve to be hurt or mistreated?
wonder if you’re the one who is crazy?
feel emotionally numb or helpless?
Does your partner:
- humiliate, criticize, or yell at you?
- treat you so badly that you’re embarrassed for your friends or family to see?
- ignore or put down your opinions or accomplishments?
- blame you for his own abusive behavior?
- see you as property or a sex object, rather than as a person?
Does your partner:
have a bad and unpredictable temper?
hurt you, or threaten to hurt or kill you?
threaten to take your children away or harm them?
threaten to commit suicide if you leave?
force you to have sex?
destroy your belongings?
Does your partner:
- act excessively jealous and possessive?
- control where you go or what you do?
- keep you from seeing your friends or family?
- limit your access to money, the phone, or the car?
- constantly check up on you?