Saint Anthony Mary Claret is also known as the “spiritual father of Cuba.” He was born in Salient in Catalonia, Spain, in 1807. He became a weaver, like his father, and was very talented. But he studied in his spare time to become a priest and was ordained in 1835. He became a popular preacher, leading retreats and popular missions where he emphasized the Eucharist. In 1849 the saint founded the Claretians, a religious institute of missionaries, and a companion order of women religious who served as teachers for girls.
 
In 1850 he chose to add the name Mary to his own, and he is known today for his propagation of the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. For the next 7 years he served as Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, where he worked diligently to reform both clergy and laity. He opposed concubinage, instructed black slaves, and championed family-owned farms instead of the mass farming of a sugar cash crop. These stances were vehemently opposed by many, and Saint Anthony was the target of assassins.
 
He was recalled to act as Queen Isabella II’s confessor, a duty he reluctantly agreed to, with the exception that he would reside away from the court, attending the household only to hear confessions and instruct the children. While in Spain he founded the Religious Publishing House and wrote or published 200 Catholic books and pamphlets. He went into exile to France with the Queen’s household during the Spanish Revolution of 1868.
 
The saint returned to Rome to Participate in Vatican I where he defended the infallibility of the Pope. He died in France in 1870 and was canonized in 1950 by Pope Pius XII. St. Anthony Mary Claret, pray for us!