Saint Anthony Zaccaria
Today we celebrate the feast day of St. Anthony. St. Anthony was among one of the early movers of the Counter-Reformation. St. Anthony’s mother had become a widow during the age of 18, and she devoted herself to the spiritual education of her son. St. Anthony had received a medical doctorate when he was around the age of 22. While St. Anthony was working among the poor of his native town which was Cremona in Italy, he had attracted to the religious apostolate. St. Anthony had denied all of his rights to any future inheritance, he worked as a catechist, and he was later ordained a priest when he was 26. St. Anthony was later called to Milan in a few years, he had laid the foundations of three different religious congregations, one which was for men, one which was for women, and another association which was for married couples. Their responsibility and job was the reform of the decadent society of their day, beginning with the clergy, religious, and lay people.
St. Anthony who was greatly inspired by St. Paul decided to name his congregation, which is named the Barnabites, after one of his companions. St. Anthony later decided to preach with great vigor in church and street, he conducted many popular missions, and was not ashamed of doing public penance.
St. Anthony later encouraged such innovations as the collaboration of the laity in the apostolate, frequent Communion, the Forty Hours devotion, and the ringing of church bells at 3:00 p.m. on Fridays. St. Anthony’s holiness was able to move many to reform their lives, but as with all saints, it also had moved many to oppose him.
While St. Anthony was on a mission of peace, St. Anthony became seriously ill and was brought home for a visit to his mother. St. Anthony later died at Cremona while he was 36 years old.
Prayer to St. Anthony
St. Anthony intercede that we may be able to guide more people to Christ through love, peace, charity and mercy. St. Anthony help us to start new activities and clubs that can lead others to Christ.
Amen
St. Anthony pray for us
St. Joseph pray for us
May we continue to strengthen our journey to sainthood and keep others in our prayers.
Works cited:
Information (read from, not taken):
Franciscan media. “Saint Anthony Zaccaria. ”Saint Anthony Zaccaria | Franciscan Media. Accessed July 5 2021.
Images:
Saint Anthony Zaccaria. July 5, 2021. Saint Anthony Zaccaria - Google Search