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Weaver. Seminary student with
Blessed Francis Coll. Priest. Missionary in Catalonia and the Canary
Islands. Directed retreats. Founded the Congregation of Missionary Sons of
the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians). Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba.
Founded the Teaching Sisters of Mary Immaculate. Following his work in the
Caribbean, Pope Pius IX ordered him back to Spain. Confessor to Queen
Isabella II, and was exiled with her. Gift of prophecy and miracles.
Reported to have preached 10,000 sermons, published 200 works. Spread
devotion to the Blessed Sacrament and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
Born
23 December 1807 at Sallent, Catalonia, Spain
Died
24 October 1870 in a Cistercian monastery at Fontfroide, Narbonne, France
Canonized
1950 by Venerable Pope Pius XII
Name Meaning
inestimable
Patronage
Catholic press, Claretians, Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of
Mary, weavers
Readings
Driven by the fire of the Holy Spirit, the holy apostles traveled
throughout the earth. Inflamed with the same fire, apostolic missionaries
have reached, are now reaching, and will continue to reach the ends of the
earth, from one pole to the other, in order to proclaim the word of God.
They are deservedly able to apply to themselves those words of the apostle
Paul: "The love of Christ drives us on."
The love of Christ arouses us, urges us to run, and to fly, lifted on the
wings of holy zeal. The zealous man desires and achieves all great things
and he labors strenuously so that God may always be better known, loved
and served in this world and in the life to come, for this holy love is
without end.
Because he is concerned also for his neighbor, the man of zeal works to
fulfill his desire that all men be content on this earth and happy and
blessed in their heavenly homeland, that all may be saved, and that no one
may perish for ever, or offend God, or remain even for a moment in sin.
Such are the concerns we observe in the holy apostles and in all who are
driven by the apostolic spirit.
For myself, I say this to you: The man who burns with the fire of divine
love is a son of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and wherever he goes, he
enkindles that flame; he deserves and works with all this strength to
inflame all men with the fire of God's love. Nothing deters him: he
rejoices in poverty; he labors strenuously; he welcomes hardships; he
laughs off false accusations; he rejoices in anguish. He thinks only of
how he might follow Jesus Christ and imitate him by his prayers, his
labors, his sufferings, and by caring always and only for the glory of God
and the salvation of souls.
from a work by Saint Anthony Mary Claret
source:
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainta10.htm
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