Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria

His life:

+ Anthony Mary was born in Cremona, Italy. After working as a medical doctor, he realized his true vocation was to heal souls as well as bodies.

+ Ordained in 1528, he founded a new religious community of priests who would “regenerate and revive the love of divine worship and a properly Christian way of life by frequent preaching and faithful ministering of the sacraments.” The Clerks Regular of St. Paul are more commonly known as the “Barnabites.”

+ Anthony Mary was especially devoted to the Blessed Sacrament and the crucifix.

+ His surviving sermons reveal a gentle man who preached simple, solid faith and doctrine.

+ Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria died in 1539 and was canonized in 1897.

For prayer and reflection:

“I do not count my life more precious than my work,
which is to finish my course,
the task of preaching and proclaiming
the good news of God's grace.”—Romans 1:16

Spiritual bonus:

On July 5 the Church in the United States also celebrates the memory of Saint Elizabeth of Portugal. Although she had been queen of Portugal, she renounced her status and royal titles to live as a Franciscan tertiary, living a life of prayer and charity in a house near the monastery of the Poor Clare nuns in Coimbra. Saint Elizabeth of Portugal died in 1336 and was declared a saint in 1625. With Saint Louis of France, she is honored as the patron saint of Franciscan Tertiaries.

Prayer

Grant, O Lord, that in the spirit of the Apostle Paul
we may pursue the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ,
for, having learned it,
Saint Anthony Zaccaria
constantly preached your saving word in the Church.
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.

(from The Roman Missal)

Saint profiles prepared by Father Silas Henderson, S.D.S.