St. Anthony Mary Claret (1807–1870) is one of the beloved saints of the Catholic Church. Anthony Mary Claret was a Spanish archbishop who founded the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, known as the Claretians. He served as Archbishop of Santiago, Cuba, where he faced multiple assassination attempts for his reforms against slavery and corruption. The Church celebrates St. Anthony Mary Claret's feast on 10-24.
Catholic Daily brings you the life of St. Anthony Mary Claret as part of our commitment to helping Catholics encounter the saints of the liturgical calendar every morning. Whether you are discovering St. Anthony Mary Claret for the first time or deepening a long-standing devotion, this page offers biography, prayers, and practical guidance for honoring this holy patron in your daily life.
Early Life and Calling of St. Anthony Mary Claret
Anthony Mary Claret was a Spanish archbishop who founded the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, known as the Claretians. He served as Archbishop of Santiago, Cuba, where he faced multiple assassination attempts for his reforms against slavery and corruption. He was also the confessor to Queen Isabella II of Spain.
The vocation of St. Anthony Mary Claret reminds us that holiness is not the exclusive domain of monks and nuns but the universal call of every baptized Christian. The Second Vatican Council's Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium teaches that all the faithful are called to the fullness of Christian life and the perfection of charity — and St. Anthony Mary Claret's life is a shining example of that universal call answered with total generosity.
St. Anthony Mary Claret is honored as the patron saint of Catholic press, weavers, textile workers. The designation of patron saints is a beautiful expression of the Catholic doctrine of the Communion of Saints — the belief that the saints in heaven are not distant figures from the past but active intercessors who accompany us in our earthly journey.
Those who work in or are associated with Catholic press have traditionally invoked St. Anthony Mary Claret's intercession for protection, guidance, and grace in their particular circumstances. The patronage of St. Anthony Mary Claret is grounded in the specific details of Claret's life and ministry, which created a lasting bond between this saint and those who share similar callings or needs.
How to Honor St. Anthony Mary Claret in Your Daily Life
The Church's tradition offers many beautiful ways to honor St. Anthony Mary Claret and seek Claret's intercession:
On the Feast Day (10-24): Attend Mass if possible, as the liturgy on Claret's feast day will often include readings and prayers that illuminate Claret's particular sanctity. Light a candle before an image of St. Anthony Mary Claret and spend a few minutes in prayer.
Daily Devotion: Place an image or icon of St. Anthony Mary Claret in your home — in your prayer corner, on your desk, or in your car. A simple morning invocation, "St. Claret, pray for us," draws Claret's intercession into your day.
Novena: A nine-day novena to St. Anthony Mary Claret can be prayed before the feast day (beginning nine days prior) or at any time of particular need. Many Catholics have reported profound graces through novena prayer.
Study: Read a biography of St. Anthony Mary Claret. The lives of the saints are the living commentary on the Gospel — they show us what it looks like to follow Christ in a particular time, culture, and vocation.
Prayer to St. Anthony Mary Claret
O glorious St. Anthony Mary Claret, whose life was a testament to the love and power of Almighty God, look upon us with mercy from your place before His throne. You who walked the path of holiness with courage and fidelity, intercede for us who struggle in the pilgrimage of faith. Obtain for us from God the graces we most need — especially [state your intention here] — and help us to follow your example of love, courage, and total surrender to God's will. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Feast Day Prayer (from the Roman Missal):Lord our God, you have given us St. Anthony Mary Claret as a witness to your goodness and mercy. May we who honor Claret's memory imitate Claret's virtues and one day share Claret's joy in your presence. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
St. Anthony Mary Claret in Art and Catholic Tradition
St. Anthony Mary Claret has been depicted in Catholic sacred art for centuries. Traditional iconography of the saints communicates theological truths through visual symbols — a language that transcends words and speaks directly to the heart.
Common symbols associated with St. Anthony Mary Claret in Catholic art may include:
- A halo or nimbus, indicating canonized sainthood
- Specific objects or instruments associated with Claret's life or martyrdom
- Liturgical vestments corresponding to Claret's state of life (religious habit, episcopal robes, or lay clothing)
- A palm branch, if St. Anthony Mary Claret is a martyr
A lesser-known fact about St. Anthony Mary Claret: He survived fifteen assassination attempts during his six years as archbishop of Cuba and was nearly killed by a knife-wielding assailant who slashed his face.
When praying before an image of St. Anthony Mary Claret, allow the symbols to draw your attention to the virtues they represent. Sacred art is not decoration but theology made visible — a window through which the heavenly reality shines into our earthly prayer.