| Saint Anthony Mary Claret 
October 23 Feast Saint Anthony Mary Claret, called 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, Parisand to the First Vatican Council. In his spare time as weaver and designer in the textile mills of Barcelona, he learned Latin and printing. He was ordained to the priesthood at age 28, he was prevented by ill health from entering religious life as a Carthusian or as a Jesuit, but he 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 was never out of his hands. At age 42, beginning with five young priests, he founded a religious institute of missionaries,known today as the Claretians. He was appointed to head the 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 of sugar. Besides all of his religious writings are two books he wrote in Cuba: Reflections on Agriculture and Country Delights. He was called back to Spain to perform a job he did not care for—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 the First Vatican Coucil, 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. St Anthony Mary Claret was beatified in 1934 and in 1950 canonized by Pope Pius XII. The Claretian Fathers came to the United States in 1902. Since then they have been active in the care of the Spanish-speaking. They likewise do considerable publishing, in the spirit of their founder. In 1925 they inaugurated the national shrine of St. Jude in Chicago. American popular devotion to this "saint of the impossible" owes much to the efforts of these disciples of St. Anthony Claret. 
| Novena to St. Anthony Mary Claret Helper of those suffering from cancer, heart trouble, and other serious ailments of soul and body. 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. | | 
