Today's saint: Anthony Claret was born at Sallent in Spain in 1807. After being ordained a priest he traveled many years though Catalonia, preaching to the people. He founded a society of missionaries (known as the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary – now known as the Claretians) in 1849. He wrote over 200 books and pamphlets and established the Religious Library in Spain. In 1850 he was appointed archbishop of Santiago, Cuba where he was renowned for his pastoral zeal. It was at his episcopal consecration that he took the name Mary to ensure his constant dedication and devotion to the Blessed Virgin. He returned to Spain in 1857 and became confessor to Queen Isabella II. He died at Fontfroide in France in 1870.
It is refreshing to see the life of an ordinary man, an ordinary priest, and ordinary bishop who did ordinary things extraordinarily well – doing them because God asked him to do them – and because he loved to do what God asked him to do – with the help of Mary, the Mother of God. In this regard Anthony Claret is a model for all of us!
In the first reading today we hear of the beauty of the feet of those who bring glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation! This Anthony Mary Claret did – in imitation of Jesus who brought the message of light and life to a waiting world! Wherever Anthony went there was a brightness and the possibility of a more abundant spiritual life due to the power of the Holy Spirit working through him!
The gospel passage shows Jesus calling his first disciples who would become his Apostles – the first bishops of the Church. We thank God that he has always provided successors to this original band of unlikely candidates! Let us remember that his choice for leadership roles in the Church is his own business – and it is the business of those under their authority to respect and love them because they are chosen and placed in authority by God himself!
We pray that God will always provide enough and qualified bishops and helper priests to tend the flock he has redeemed – so that all the ends of the earth will behold the salvation of our God!
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