Today is Oct. 24, the optional memorial of St. Anthony Mary Claret, bishop.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus says to his disciples, “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” (Lk 12:49).
When you begin to share about the lives of some saints, it’s hard to even know where to start. St. Anthony Mary Claret is one of those saints. He accomplished so much in his life, it’s a bit overwhelming! A renowned preacher, he founded a religious order still at work in missions today. He became archbishop of a diocese in Cuba, confessor to a Spanish queen, participated in the First Vatican Council, and published more than 200 books and pamphlets throughout his life!
But one moment from his life caught my attention today. When he was archbishop of Santiago (in Cuba), he was brutally attacked by a would-be assassin. He later described the assassination attempt in his autobiography, saying: “Suddenly his arm flew back and he brought the razor he was holding down upon me with all his might. I had my head down and was touching a handkerchief to my mouth with my right hand, and so, instead of slitting my throat as he had intended, he slashed my face across the left cheek, from the ear to the chin.” Claret survived the attack (which seemed to be motivated by, among other things, his reform of the clergy).
The desire for martyrdom grew in the saintly archbishop. He later reflected on the attack saying, “My spirits soared as the thought that this was but a promise of what I might achieve in time to shed my blood completely, in the ultimate sacrifice of death.” This desire demonstrates the depths of his missionary spirit, a heart totally on fire for the Gospel.
The archbishop would go on to not only forgive his would-be assassin but argued to save the man’s life after a judge had sentenced him to the death penalty. St. Anthony Mary would later describe the attack as “a great favor from heaven.” Today, let us imitate this great missionary saint, rejoicing in the persecutions that may come our way, and meeting those who would harm us with the forgiveness and compassion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
A prayer seeking St. Anthony’s intercession:
O God, who for the evangelization of peoples strengthened the Bishop Saint Anthony Mary Claret with admirable charity and long-suffering, grant, through his intercession, that, seeking the things that are yours, we may earnestly devote ourselves to winning our brothers and sisters for Christ. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the holy spirit, God, for ever and ever.
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