See how his passion and love for God
fuel our mission today.
Who is
St. Anthony Mary Claret?
A fire that still burns.
What if the desire to do something meaningful with your life:
to serve, to preach, to stand up for justice…
is lighting a fire in you?
Nearly two centuries ago, a young man from Spain felt that same fire. His name was Anthony Mary Claret. And his “yes” changed the world.
Today, more than 3,000 Claretian missionaries serve in 72 countries, continuing the mission he began.
The question is not only who was St. Anthony Mary Claret?
The question is:
Could his story become yours?
BIOGRAPHY
Get to know the story
of our founding father
St. Anthony Mary Claret was born in 1807 in Spain during a time of political unrest, poverty, and deep division. As a young man, he felt drawn to success and business. He was born in a well-known, wealthy family and was expected to carry on with the family business, but something stirred deeper within him. A question echoed in his heart:
“What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and suffers the loss of his soul?”
He became a priest but not a comfortable one.
St. Anthony Mary Claret walked across Spain preaching missions, often on foot. He faced exhaustion, rejection, ridicule, and yet he never stopped. Why?
Because his deep love for God impelled him to love all people.
Later, as Archbishop of Cuba, Claret defended workers, protected enslaved people’s right to worship, supported interracial marriages, and transformed a plantation into a school and orphanage.
- He survived assassination attempts.
- He endured slander.
- He was misunderstood.
But he never lost the fire.
He once said:
“I can’t bear seeing misfortune or misery without doing something to help.”
For Claret, faith was never passive. It demanded action.
And maybe that same courage is stirring in you.
A mission for today's world
St. Anthony Mary Claret believed that the Blessed Virgin Mary formed missionaries to be sent far and wide as servants of the Word. When he founded our congregation, he wanted to set the world on fire with God’s love. Today, we engage more than 4 million people in growing their faith.
We are:
But maybe you’re not sure. Maybe you question it. Maybe the idea makes you uncomfortable. Maybe it excites you and scares you at the same time.
Discernment is not about being certain. It is about being honest. It takes time. It takes prayer. It takes courage. St. Anthony Mary Claret wrestled too. His call unfolded over time too.
If something in you is stirred—even quietly—don’t ignore it.
We are here to listen.
Pray With Us
Discernment begins in prayer.
Here are prayers that have guided generations of Claretian missionaries:
Lord, our God,
You chose St. Anthony Mary Claret
To be the Founder of our religious family
And you set him on fire with your love,
So that he joyfully welcomed slanders and sufferings. In your mercy grant that,
Holding firmly to his teachings,
We may proclaim your glory to the ends of the earth And always seek with zealous care The salvation of all peoples.
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Lord Jesus Christ, who said:
“Ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers into his harvest,” we humbly beg you to deign to send them into our Congregation.
Infuse your Spirit into those you have chosen
and strengthen them in their vocation,
that they may proclaim your holy Gospel worthily and fruitfully.
May you call us, and may we truly be,
Sons of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary. May we love you with all our heart, in every word and action,
and never cease to praise you.
Amen.
O Virgin Mary, Mother of God and our Mother, I entrust myself to your maternal love that you may make me a missionary
in the image and likeness of your Son,
sent by the Father,
to proclaim Good News to the poor.
Teach me to believe, love, and serve like you.
Make me generous and grateful
so that I may joyfully live
the gift of my missionary vocation.
Amen.
MOVIE
Watch His Story
See the untold story of St. Anthony Mary Claret.
Discover the life of a missionary who refused to stay silent.
