ST. ANTHONY ZACCARIA


SPECIAL PAGE 14

St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, Confessor

July 5

Born into a patrician family, in 1502 at Cremona, Lombardy, his father, Lazzaro, died when Anthony was two, and his mother, Antonia Pescorali, widowed at age 18, devoted herself to her son.

He studied medicine at Padua; received his doctorate at age 22. Working among the poor in Cremona, he felt called to the religious life. Bequeathing his inheritance to his mother, the Saint worked as a catechist, and was ordained at age 26; Tradition says that Angels were seen around the altar at his first Mass.
In Milan he established the congregations, the Society of Clerics of Saint Paul (Barnabites) (men religious), and the Angelics of Saint Paul (uncloistered nuns). These groups helped reform the morals of the faithful, encouraged laymen to work together with the apostolate, and frequent reception of Communion. While on a peace mission, Anthony became ill and died at his mother's house of natural causes; in his last moments on July 5, 1539 he had a vision of Saint Paul. He is buried at Saint Paul's onvent of the Angelics, Milan, Italy. He was canonized on May 27, 1897 by Pope Leo XIII.

The characteristic devotions of the Barnabites are to the Eucharist, the Crucifix, the Sacred Heart and Our Lady, the Mother of Divine Providence.

Prayer from the Collect:

Lord, enable us to grasp in the spirit of Saint Paul, the sublime wisdom of Jesus Christ, the wisdom which inspired Saint Anthony Zaccaria to preach the message of salvation in Thy Church.

Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Who lives and reigns with Thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.


 


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