Antonio Maria Claret y Clara was born in 1807 at Sallent in Spain. His father was a cloth-weaver and Antonio practised this trade, studying Latin and printing in his spare time. At the age of 22 he began studies for the priesthood and was ordained in 1835. He went to Rome to enter the Society of Jesus but his poor health forced him to return to Spain. There he gave missions and retreats and assisted Blessed Joachima de Mas to establish the Carmelites of Charity. In 1849 he founded the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary which became known as the ‘Claretians’ after his name. Antonio was appointed Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba and survived several assassination attempts. In 1857 he resigned his bishopric and returned to Spain to become confessor to Queen Isabella II, but after the revolution of 1868 he was exiled with her. Antonio returned to Rome and helped promote the definition of Papal Infallibility. He died in France in 1870 and was canonised by the Venerable Pius XII in 1950.
Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:
In the territory of Ossuma near Cadiz in Spain, the holy martyrs Servandus and Germanus, in the persecution of Diocletian under the lieutenant Viator. After being subjected to scourging, imprisonment in a foul dungeon, want of food and drink, and the fatigue of a very long journey, which they had to perform loaded with fetters, they at length reached the term of their martyrdom by having their heads stricken off. Germanus was buried at Merida, and Servandus at Seville.
At Antioch in Syria, the birthday of the holy priest Theodore, who was arrested in the persecution of Julian the Apostate. After being racked, after suffering many severe torments, and the burning of his sides with torches, as he persevered in the confession of Christ, he was put to the sword, and thus consummated his martyrdom.
At Granada in Spain, blessed Peter Paschasius, bishop of Jaen and martyr, of the Order of Mercedarians. He suffered on the sixth of December.
At Constantinople, St. Ignatius, bishop, who, for having reproved the emperor Bardas for putting away his wife, was subjected by him to many insults and driven into banishment. Being restored to his See by Pope Nicholas, he finally rested in peace.
At Bordeaux, St. Severin, bishop of Cologne and confessor.
At Rouen, St. Romanus, bishop.
At Salerno, St. Verus, bishop.
In Picardy, St. Domitius, priest.
In Poitou, St. Benedict, confessor.
Near Villack in Hungary, St. John of Capistran, confessor, of the Order of Friars Minor, illustrious by the sanctity of his life and his zeal for the propagation of the Catholic faith. By his prayers and miracles, he routed a most powerful army of Turks and forced them to raise the siege of Belgrade.
And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.
Thanks be to God.
Also on this day according to the ROMAN MARTYROLOGY:
In the territory of Ossuma near Cadiz in Spain, the holy martyrs Servandus and Germanus, in the persecution of Diocletian under the lieutenant Viator. After being subjected to scourging, imprisonment in a foul dungeon, want of food and drink, and the fatigue of a very long journey, which they had to perform loaded with fetters, they at length reached the term of their martyrdom by having their heads stricken off. Germanus was buried at Merida, and Servandus at Seville.
At Antioch in Syria, the birthday of the holy priest Theodore, who was arrested in the persecution of Julian the Apostate. After being racked, after suffering many severe torments, and the burning of his sides with torches, as he persevered in the confession of Christ, he was put to the sword, and thus consummated his martyrdom.
At Granada in Spain, blessed Peter Paschasius, bishop of Jaen and martyr, of the Order of Mercedarians. He suffered on the sixth of December.
At Constantinople, St. Ignatius, bishop, who, for having reproved the emperor Bardas for putting away his wife, was subjected by him to many insults and driven into banishment. Being restored to his See by Pope Nicholas, he finally rested in peace.
At Bordeaux, St. Severin, bishop of Cologne and confessor.
At Rouen, St. Romanus, bishop.
At Salerno, St. Verus, bishop.
In Picardy, St. Domitius, priest.
In Poitou, St. Benedict, confessor.
Near Villack in Hungary, St. John of Capistran, confessor, of the Order of Friars Minor, illustrious by the sanctity of his life and his zeal for the propagation of the Catholic faith. By his prayers and miracles, he routed a most powerful army of Turks and forced them to raise the siege of Belgrade.
And in other places, many other holy martyrs, confessors and virgins.
Thanks be to God.
