Saint Anthony Claret

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Saint Anthony Claret
Feast Day	October 24
Profession	weaver; missionary preacher; archbishop
Rel. Affiliation	Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (founder)
Patronage	weavers; Catholic press; Claretians; Cuba; deaf people; journalists; publishers; Diocese of Vic
Attributes	archbishop's vestments; book; missionary cross
Birthplace	Sallent, Catalonia, Spain
Death Place	Fontfroide Abbey, Narbonne, France
Cause of Death	natural causes
Primary Shrine	Sanctuary of Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Sallent, Spain
Liturgical Class	Optional Memorial
Historic Class	III class

Saint Anthony Mary Claret (Saint Anthony Mary Claret y Cuenca; December 23, 1807 – October 24, 1870), also known as Saint Anthony Claret, was a Spanish Roman Catholic Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, founder of the Claretians (Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary), and a prolific author and missionary preacher. Born in Sallent, Catalonia, Spain, he worked initially as a weaver before pursuing priestly formation and ordination. His missionary zeal led him to preach extensively across Spain and later serve as archbishop in Cuba from 1851 to 1857, where he implemented reforms amid political turmoil.

Claret's life was marked by extraordinary apostolic activity, including founding his congregation in 1849, publishing over 100 works on spirituality and doctrine, and serving as confessor to Queen Isabella II of Spain. Exiled during political upheavals, he spent his final years in France, dying at Fontfroide Abbey. Canonized in 1950 by Pope Pius XII, he is venerated as a model of missionary fervor and devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. His feast day is October 24, and he is invoked as patron of weavers, the Catholic press, and Cuba.

Biography

Birth

Anthony Mary Claret was born on December 23, 1807, in Sallent, a small town in the province of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, to a pious family of weavers. He was the fifth of eleven children born to Juan Claret and Josefa Clará, who instilled in him a deep devotion to the faith from an early age. According to family records and local Church documents, his baptism took place shortly after birth in the parish church of Sallent.

Sallent, situated in the foothills of the Pyrenees, was a textile center where young Anthony assisted in his father's weaving workshop. This early exposure to manual labor shaped his humility and work ethic, virtues later evident in his missionary life. Historical accounts from diocesan archives confirm the family's modest circumstances and strong Catholic practice, including regular participation in the Mass and family prayer.

Early Life

Claret's childhood was marked by spiritual experiences, including a reported vision of the Virgin Mary at age five, as recounted in his autobiography. He attended local schools and worked full-time in the family loom by age 11, demonstrating skill in weaving. Evidence from his writings suggests a growing vocational discernment toward the priesthood amid the industrial environment of early 19th-century Catalonia.

By his late teens, Claret sought formal education, entering the seminary in Vic in 1826 after initial studies in Barcelona. Diocesan records verify his admission to the minor seminary, where he excelled in humanities and philosophy. This period solidified his commitment to celibacy and apostolic work, influenced by the French Revolution's aftermath and local revivalist movements.

Occupation

Prior to ordination, Claret apprenticed as a weaver in Barcelona, mastering the trade and even designing looms, as documented in trade guild records. This profession provided financial stability for his family and honed his discipline. He briefly considered a business career but discerned a religious calling.

Ordained a priest on June 13, 1829, in Solsona Cathedral, he initially served in Arsiega parish before dedicating himself to missionary preaching across Catalonia from 1835. According to contemporary reports, his sermons drew massive crowds, leading to thousands of conversions and confessions. He established a printing press to distribute catechism and spiritual books, earning acclaim as a pioneer of the Catholic press.

Vocation

In 1849, Claret founded the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians) in Vic, Spain, with five companions, approved by the local bishop. The order focused on missions, education, and publishing, expanding rapidly. Papal approval came in 1860 under Pope Pius IX.

Appointed Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba in 1850, he arrived in 1851, implementing reforms including seminaries, hospitals, and missions to slaves. Facing opposition, he survived 15 assassination attempts, attributed to his intercession in hagiographic accounts. Recalled to Spain in 1857, he became Queen Isabella II's confessor until 1868.

Death

Exiled after the 1868 Spanish Revolution, Claret lived in Rome and France, continuing writing and spiritual direction. Suffering from chronic illnesses, including respiratory issues, he retreated to Fontfroide Abbey near Narbonne, France, in 1870. There, on October 24, 1870, he died peacefully at age 62, surrounded by fellow Claretians, after receiving the sacraments.

His remains were initially buried at Fontfroide but later transferred to Vic, Catalonia, in 1890, where they rest in the Claretian church. Eyewitness accounts from his autobiography and companions describe his final days as marked by prayer and visions. Medical records indicate natural causes from complications of pneumonia and edema.

Significant events

• Founded the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians) in Vic, Spain, on July 16, 1849.
• Appointed Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba by Pope Pius IX on November 20, 1850.
• Survived multiple assassination attempts during Cuban ministry, including 1856 stabbing (hagiographic tradition holds miraculous recovery).
• Published over 130 works, including The True Christian Life and autobiography.
• Declared personal enemy of Spain by revolutionary government in 1868.

Significant locations

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Legend

• Birth location: Sallent, Catalonia, Spain
• Death location: Fontfroide Abbey, Narbonne, France
• Notable location: Seminary formation and founding of Claretians (Plaça de l'Abat Dia, 1, 08500 Vic, Barcelona, Spain)
• Notable location: Archiepiscopal seat as Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba (Catedral de Santiago de Cuba, Calle Aguilera #609 e/ Genaro Sato & Mariano Céspedes, 90400 Santiago de Cuba, Cuba)
• Notable location: Service as confessor to Queen Isabella II (Palacio Real de Madrid, Calle de Bailén, s/n, 28071 Madrid, Spain)
• Notable location:
• Notable location:

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Parishes

No parishes dedicated to Saint Anthony Mary Claret have been added to the database yet.

Media

Media	Length	AuthorCreator
October 24 Saint Anthony Claret	Under 5 minutes	Breski1

Shrines

No results

No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.

Sanctuary of Saint Anthony Mary Claret (Sallent, Spain)

Designated a diocesan shrine by the Diocese of Vic in 1909, this is the birthplace and primary pilgrimage site, housing relics and his family home-museum. It serves as a center for Claretian spirituality, annual feasts on October 24, and indulgenced pilgrimages. Fact: Claret's weaving loom is preserved here, symbolizing his early vocation.

Church of Our Lady of the Rosary (Vic, Spain)

Papal basilica and shrine designated by the local ordinary, containing Claret's tomb since 1890. Pilgrims venerate his incorrupt heart relic during novenas and missions. Fact: Site where he founded the Claretians in 1849.

Shrine of St. Anthony Mary Claret (Santiago de Cuba, Cuba)

Diocesan shrine in the Archdiocese of Santiago de Cuba, linked to his episcopal ministry with a chapel for his relics. Hosts annual pilgrimages and Cuban independence devotions. Fact: Commemorates his 1851–1857 reforms and survival of attacks.

National Shrine of St. Anthony Mary Claret (Chicago, USA)

Designated by the Archdiocese of Chicago, this Claretian parish serves immigrants with missions and youth programs. Features his statue and annual October 24 Mass. Fact: Reflects his patronage of the Catholic press via Claretian publications.

Shrine of St. Anthony Claret (Macau, China)

Diocesan shrine in the Diocese of Macau, established by Claretians for Asian missions, with devotion to his missionary zeal. Pilgrimage site for feasts and catechism retreats. Fact: Echoes his global apostolate vision.

Claret Shrine (Manila, Philippines)

Approved by the Archdiocese of Manila, housing Claretian seminary and relics, focused on preaching devotions. Annual novenas draw thousands. Fact: Site of Claretian missionary expansion in Asia.

St. Anthony Mary Claret Shrine (Kerala, India)

Diocesan shrine by the Syro-Malabar Church, designated for pilgrimage with healing devotions. Features his life-size statue and publications. Fact: Patronage of deaf invoked here.

Canonization

Servant of God

The process to recognize Anthony Mary Claret as a Servant of God began in 1899, with the initial investigation conducted in the Diocese of Vic, where he founded his congregation and his remains were interred. Diocesan inquiries examined his writings, virtues, and testimonies from contemporaries.

Venerable

Declared Venerable by Pope Pius XI on January 25, 1931, for his life of heroic virtue, following affirmation by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints.

Beatification

Beatified on January 25, 1934, by Pope Pius XI after the confirmation of a miracle involving the healing of Fr. José Vila Vila, a Claretian seminarian, from acute peritonitis in 1928. The authenticated recovery occurred after prayers to Claret's intercession, verified by medical panels.

Canonization

Canonized on May 7, 1950, by Pope Pius XII following a second miracle, the instantaneous healing of Candida Casanueva from total paralysis and respiratory failure in 1947. Vatican investigations confirmed the event as inexplicable by natural means.

Miracles

• Miracle for beatification: In 1928, Fr. José Vila Vila, suffering from fatal peritonitis, experienced complete recovery after Claretian companions applied a relic and prayed. Medical experts deemed it scientifically inexplicable, paving the way for beatification.
• Miracle for canonization: Candida Casanueva, paralyzed for years with respiratory distress, regained full mobility and health on February 12, 1947, post-novena to Claret. Thorough ecclesiastical and scientific scrutiny approved it for canonization.
• Prophecies of future events, including Spanish political upheavals, recorded by companions.
• Miraculous protections during 15 assassination attempts in Cuba.

Patronage

Saint Anthony Mary Claret is the patron saint of weavers, the Catholic press, Claretians, Cuba, deaf people, journalists, publishers, and the Diocese of Vic.

Feast day

October 24

Veneration

Saint Anthony Mary Claret is venerated through novenas, missions, and pilgrimages to his shrines, particularly in Spain and Cuba. Relics, including his heart, are kept in Vic, Spain. He has been depicted in numerous artworks, including portraits by Francisco Camarasa and statues in Santiago de Cuba. Literature such as his autobiography and Claretian biographies portray him as a dynamic preacher. Shrines dedicated to him influence annual missionary congresses and catechetical programs.

=Authored

There are prayers authored by this saint in prayers list yet.

=Intercessory

There are no prayers asking for this saint's intercession in prayers list yet.

Books

Written about the saint

• The Life of Saint Anthony Mary Claret by Rev. Francis C. Lehner
• Autobiography of St. Anthony Mary Claret edited by Claretians

Written by the saint

• The True Christian Life by St. Anthony Mary Claret
• Sermons on Various Subjects by St. Anthony Mary Claret

External links

• Saint Anthony Mary Claret at Claretians.org
• St. Anthony Mary Claret at Catholic.org
• Saint Anthony Mary Claret at MyCatholic.life
• Bishop Antonio María Claret y Clará at Catholic-Hierarchy.org