St. Anthony Mary Claret

St. Anthony Mary Claret was born Dec. 23, 1807, in Catalonia, Spain. Ordained in June 1835, he served as a missionary in Catalonia and the Canary Islands. He founded the congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians) and the Teaching Sisters of Mary Immaculate. The saint became archbishop of Santiago de Cuba in May 1850. After returning to Spain, he became confessor to Queen Isabella II and was exiled with the queen. It is said he was able to prophesize and make miracles. He died in France in 1870. St. Anthony Mary Claret is patron saint of the Claretians.