In 1807, Antonio Claret was born to devout parents in Spain, and he was baptized two days after his birth, on Christmas Day. He worked as an apprentice at his family’s textile factory, then followed a call to religious life. He used his parish as his “home base” for preaching missions, performing as many as seven sermons a day, and sometimes he heard confessions for 10 hours at a time. With other priests he started a printing company for religious materials, founded an order of missionaries, then was named the Archbishop of Cuba. For six years he served the spiritual and physical needs of the island nation, then returned to be the confessor of the Queen of Spain. Archbishop Claret served as a Council Father at the First Vatican Council before he died at the age of 62.
CHALLENGE
St. Anthony Mary Claret tried to be a monk, and a missionary, and a Jesuit, but God had other plans for him. It’s better to walk the road that is blessed than to ask God to bless the road we want to walk. Are you fighting God for control of some area of your life? Go to your church today and light a votive candle to the Blessed Mother, and ask her for the grace of an increase in Faith.
All Saints’ Day is right around the corner! The Saint Challenge restarts on All Saints’ Day, and a print copy of The Saint Challenge is a great companion for a year of challenges and a lifetime of living the faith. Buy your copy today then challenge a friend to join you!
