St. Anthony Mary Claret led a colorful life as a popular preacher in Spain and Archbishop of Cuba, even surviving an assassination attempt and then pleading for the life of his attacker.

Anthony was born in Spain in 1807, the son of a weaver. He grew up practicing his father’s trade, and studied Latin and printing in his spare time. At the age of 22, he entered the seminary and was ordained a priest in 1835.

He had a desire to serve in the foreign missions, but his health failed and he was encouraged to focus his efforts on evangelizing the people of his native Spain. He began to preach parish missions and give retreats throughout his home region.

His zeal inspired other priests. He gathered a number together and established a new religious order, the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who are now known as Claretians. The order spread through Spain and beyond.

Soon after this success, he was appointed Archbishop of Santiago, Cuba. It was difficult work reforming the Church in Cuba, which had fallen into disorder, and he encountered deep resistance. In fact, on several occasions, he was nearly assassinated.

In one case, a man seriously wounded Anthony because he blamed him for the loss of his mistress, who had converted her life and left him. Anthony interceded for the man in court, however, and saved him from a death sentence.

In 1857, Anthony returned to Spain to serve the queen. He refused to reside in the court, however, and spent as much time as he could preaching to ordinary people and spreading good reading literature throughout his home region. He is responsible for founding Barcelona’s Libreria Religiosa, now known as the Claret Library, which played a large role in preserving and enhancing Catholic culture in Spain.

Anthony preached 10,000 homilies and published more than 200 books or pamphlets to teach the faith. While in charge of an institution of higher education, he established science laboratories, a museum of natural history, as well as schools of music and languages.

Beyond his impressive intellect, Anthony gave his heart to God. As he grew in holiness, he was given the gifts of prophecy and healing, and his prayer often placed him in ecstasy and rapture.

At the end of his life, he was exiled with the queen to Rome. He did not cease his ministry, however, and he attended the first Vatican council and helped to define the teaching of papal infallibility. He died on this date in 1870.

St. Anthony Mary Claret is patron saint of those who work with textiles and in the Catholic press. His relics rest in the Basilica reliquary chapel; his image here comes from Catholic.org.

St. Anthony Mary Claret, you supported the Catholic press and are the spiritual father of Cuba—pray for us!