Saint Anthony Mary Claret

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2098 Among the books in Claret’s library, there are two heavily marked copies of a Spanish translation of Faber, Frederick William, Todo por Jesús [All for Jesus]. (Madrid 1866-1867). This work was translated by Fr. Genaro Espina, theology chairman at the Seminary of El Escorial and dedicated to Don Dionisio González de Mendoza, vice-president of the same monastery.

2099 St. Miguel de los Santos (Vic 1591-Valladolid 1625). In a letter to Pius IX excusing himself for not being able to attend the Canonization of St. Michael, Claret referred to him as “my beloved countryman” (April 24, 1862, EC II, pp. 466-467). Among the books in Claret’s library, there was: Fray Antonio de San Jerónimo, Vida del Beato Miguel de los Santos (Barcelona 1799) 318 pp., Fray Anselmo de San Luis Gonzaga, Vida de San Miguel de los Santos (Madrid-Barcelona-Vic 1862) 216 pp.

2100 Rodríguez, Alonso, op. cit., part 2, tract. 3, chap. 12.

2101 Op. cit., part 2, tract 1 (on mortification) c. 18.

2102 2 Sam 14:14: We are like water spilled on the ground.

2103 Letter written in Rome July 21, 1869 (EC, II, p. 1410).

2104 Letter to Don Dionisio González, Lequeitio, August 17, 1868 (EC, II, p. 1290).

2105 The Saint’s allowing substitutes for cilices and disciplines was probably the result of his not yet being able to discreetly acquire any of these penitential instruments in his new surroundings. In this connection, Doña Jacoba Balzola writes: “Learning from his chaplain how much I wanted to have some object he [Claret] personally used, he told me as he was bidding us farewell: ‘Since they are throwing us out and I don’t know what they’ll do if they search us, I am leaving you, daughter, these cilices and disciplines I have been using’” (HD, II, p. 778).

2106 Ps 72:26 Vulgate, (Ps 73:26): The God of my heart and my portion forever.

2107 Cf. Songs 5:2.

2108 The Saint does not explain the meaning of this laconic remark, which leads us to suppose that he had received some precise and concrete revelation concerning the nearness of his death. If this “truth,” as he calls it, was shown to him near the beginning of the year, or more probably a week earlier, on his birthday (December 23rd), then it would indicate the exact span of life that God still had in store for him. This seems to be the case, since the previous year he did not mention it, while the following year he repeats it verbatim, showing that the allotted span did not begin from the time he first set it down in his Resolutions. If, as seems most likely, it was revealed to him on December 23, 1867, then the “two years and ten months” were fulfilled to the letter when he died on the morning of October 24, 1870. During his retreats he generally wrote out a plan of life. Now, owing to the extraordinary circumstances in which he was living, he could not state any precise plan. As to the tenor of his life during the tense days in San Sebastián prior to his exile, cf. HD, II, p. 778.

2109 Cf. 1 Pt 2:19.

2110 Puente, Luis de la, Meditaciones espirituales (Barcelona 1856) 6 vols.

2111 Jn 14:23.

2112 Cf. Lk 18:13.

2113 Cf. Mt 20:1-16.

2114 Lk 1:28.

2115 The full quote from St. Thomas reads: Similiter etiam ipsa charitas essentialiter est virtus ordinata ad actum: Furthermore, charity is essentially a virtue ordained to act, so that an essential increase in charity implies an ability to produce an act of more fervent love.”

2116 Letter written in Rome on October 2, 1869 (EC, II, p. 1423).

2117 Lk 22:42: Not my will, but Thine be done.

2118 On one of his visits to this seminary (situated in Sant’Andrea in Montecavallo) we know the opinion translated from the chronicle of the house which says: “On May 30^th (of 1869) at the end of the Month of Mary, His Excellency Mr. Claret, the celebrated Archbishop of Cuba and a truly saintly man, said the morning Mass and afterwards gave a sermon.” (Diario de los Sres. Teólogos, aa. 1862-1869; p. 233, unedited: in Pío Latinoamericano: coll. I 12-1).

2119 Vulgate. (Ps 73:26): The God of my heart and my portion forever.

2120 Not my will, but Thine be done.

2121 Teach me to do your will, for you are my God.

2122 He records here – repeating the same words of the year before – the mysterious revelation that probably alludes to the date of his death.

2123 He had just published a short work L’egoismo vinto, ossia, breve narrazione Della vita di S. Pietro Nolasco (Roma 1869) 88 pp., translated into Italian by Msgr. F. Mansi and published in Castilian in: Escritos Espirituales, BAC (Madrid 1985) pp. 368-430. In the prologue the Saint wrote: “Sensuality and pride are the constituents of selfishness or, better put, self-love, which is the sworn enemy of the love of God and neighbor” (ib., p. 4 en Escritos Espirituales, p. 371). There is something moving about this unconquered confessor of the faith, worn out by persecutions, the ministry and illness, still urging himself on to struggle against the enemies of God with all these rallying cries.

2124 Cf. 2 Tim 4:2.

2125 The reason for this resolution is found in a letter to Don Paladio Currius: “A voice told me... a low, rapid voice that charged me to see to it that people say the rosary, attend Mass and receive Communion frequently and devoutly” (letter written in Rome October 2, 1869: EC II, p. 1424).

2126 On October 12th, two days before the end of this retreat, the Lord granted him the infused gift of love of enemies. The Saint tells us that God granted him an extraordinary understanding while he was reading the Fifth Mansions of St. Teresa (cf. Lights and Graces, October 12, 1869; Spiritual Notes, “Vatican Council,” n. 2). We have the Saint’s handwritten extract of this passage, which reads: “Here... the Lord asks of us only two things: love of His majesty and love of our neighbor. These are what we must work for. By observing them with perfection, we do His will. The most certain sign, in my opinion, as to whether or not we are observing these two laws, is whether we observe well the love of neighbor...” (MSS Claret XII, 299); St. Teresa of Jesus, Moradas quintas, chap. 3, n. 8: Obras de la gloriosa Madre Santa Teresa de Jesús, fundadora de la Reforma de la Orden de Nuestra Señora del Carmen de la primitiva observancia... Printed by Don Joseph Doblado [Madrid 1793] II, p. 85). Ex libris (in the Claretian theological library of Granada). Claret put two pencil marks in the margins. The same text in: Obras de Santa Teresa de Jesús..., LR [Barcelona 1852] III, pp. 198-199). See also The Collected Works of Teresa of Avila: 3 Volumes by Kieran Kavanaugh O.C.D. and Otilio Rodriguez, O.C.D. (editors/translators) (Institute of Carmelite Studies, Washington, DC, 1985, 1987, 2007).

2127 “He very often visited the hospitals of the Fatebenefratelli [Brothers of St. John of God] and the Consolazione“(testimony of the Saint’s chaplain, Fr. Lorenzo Puig, in CMF Historical Archives, vol 1, p. 416. Cf. also Luna, Diego, L’Arcivescovo Claret e Sant’ Adriano, in Il Messagero del Cuore di Maria [1934] 59).

2128 In the Claretian Archives, there are some handwritten pages with the fundamental questions of the catechism written out in Italian. Claret must have used them in his ‘street ministry’ (cf. MSS Claret XII, 391-396).

2129 In his own hand, Claret wrote at the foot of the page who this José was: “Bro. José Saladich.” This Claretian Brother (1826-1894) entered the Congregation on May 22, 1859. He was in the Saint’s service from 1864 to 1870.

2130 He gave conferences to the choristers and preached retreats to the members of the Mercedarian community.

2131 He visited the Hospital Consolazione, where St. Luis Gonzaga died (June 21, 1591) as well as the hospital on the Isle of the Tiber, run by the Brothers of St. John of God.

2132 Vulgate, (RSV Sir 7:36): In whatever you do, remember your last days, and you will never sin.

2133 On various pieces of paper he wrote down some of the thoughts that moved him as he read the works of St. Teresa. Among them was the following, which was very much in tune with his state of mind at the time: “Listen to the clock striking, because it seems to me that I need to go only a little bit farther in order to see God” (MSS Claret XIII, 293).

2134 Cf. Mss. Claret, XIII, 291-292.

2135 Cf. Notes for the Governance of the Diocese (Madrid 1865) p. 177.

2136 In leaflet 29, The Clock of the Passion, he revealed his method for reminding himself of the sufferings of Jesus. After remarking that one must greet the Virgin and make a spiritual communion, he adds: “Then, like Martha and Mary who received Jesus into their home, the soul contemplates Jesus Christ within itself, and will notice what time is showing on the clock. At each hour, the soul will contemplate Him as Redeemer and Teacher. As Redeemer, it will thank Him for all He has done to redeem and save us. And as Teacher, it will listen to Him, learn His teaching, and put it into practice.”

2137 Cf. Spiritual notes: Father of the Vatican Council, 5.

2138 Cf. Heb 11, 13.

2139 Phil 3:20: Our conversation is in heaven. Claret, following the Vulgate, which translates the Gr. politeuma (citizenship) into L. converstio.

2140 Phil 1:23: Having a desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ.

2141 When he writes “my sweet Mother,” the handwriting is larger, as if to express an inner experience or conviction. Thus, the expression which begins his Autobiography (n. 1) also closes the last set of resolutions in this life. Various years before he had written: “I greatly desire to die to go to heaven and to see my God and My Mother Mary Most Holy” (letter to Fr. Joseph Xifré, Madrid, November 8, 1864: EC, II, p. 829).

2142 In his notes he writes: “While one lives, he is dying, like a burning candle, an hour-glass, a river.” (Mss. Claret, VII, 306).

2143 2 Cor 3:6: He has made us fit ministers of the new testament.

2144 St. Thomas Aquinas, On 2nd Corinthians, lect. 459.

2145 1 Sam 10:1-24; 1 Chr 10:13.

2146 Cf. 2 Sam 12:13.

2147 Cf. 1 Kgs 11:6.

2148 “After John was elected Bishop of Constantinople, he at first wanted to flee, so as to avoid becoming a bishop. Nevertheless, he later changed so much that, looking down on all other bishops, he alone wanted to be and be called, bishop.”

2149 1 Sam 15:11, 17-19, 23: It grieves me that I have made Saul king: for he has forsaken me, and has not executed my commandments. When you were a little one in your own eyes, were you not made the head of the tribes of Israel? And the Lord anointed you to be king over Israel. And the Lord sent you on your way, and said: Go, and kill the sinners of Amalec, and you shall fight against them until you have utterly destroyed them. Why then did you not hearken to the voice of the Lord? Forasmuch therefore as you have rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord has also rejected you from being king.

2150 Cf. Mt 26:75; Lk 22:61.

2151 Cf. 1 Sam 28: 18-19.

2152 Take up my yoke upon you, and learn of me, because I am meek, and humble of heart and you shall find rest to your souls. For my yoke is sweet and my burden light.

2153 St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devoted Life, part 3, chap. 8; cf. Autob. N. 372.

2154 Cf. Mt 25: 40-45.

2155 Jn 13:6: Lord, would you wash my feet?

2156 Cf. 2 Cor 5:20.

2157 Sir 18:15-17: My son, do not mix reproach with your good deeds, nor cause grief by your words when you present a gift. Does not the dew assuage the scorching heat? So a word is better than a gift.

2158 2 Cor 9:7: The Lord loves a cheerful giver.

2159 My son, do thy works in meekness, and thou shalt be beloved above the glory of men.

2160 Ps 131:1 Vulgate, (Ps 132:1): Remember, O Lord, David and all his meekness

2161 Cf. Mt 11:29^.

2162 Cf. Jn 8, 1:11.

2163 Cf. Mk 16, 9.

2164 Cf. Jn 8:11.

2165 Cf. Lk 23:39-43.

2166 Cf. Lk 22:47-48.

2167 Cf. Lohner, Tobia, Instructissima bibliotheca manualis concionatoria (Ausburgo and Dillingen) 1695, pp. 531-532.

2168 Phillip II (Valladolid 1527-El Escorial 1598), King of Spain from 1556, after spending most of the night writing some very important letters, gave them to his secretary to dust them. The latter, confusing the bottles, dusted them with ink instead of powder. The king, without flinching, told him to bring some more paper so that he could draft the letters anew... At a certain inauguration, in an attempt to clear a passage for the king, a fellow with a staff broke three crystal lamps, spattering all their oil on the robes of the king and queen. Philip II said no more than that it was a good omen, serving as an anointing of peace and future prosperity (Lohner, ibid., p. 531). “Phillip II with three lamps. The secretary spilled ink on the letters instead of powder” (Mss. Claret, X, 266).

2169 Cf. St. John Chrysostom, Homily 59 on John. “We shall be disciples of Jesus if we are meek... How shall we become meek? If we think frequently on our sins, if we sigh, if we weep. The soul that is thus afflicted cannot become irritated or upset. Where there is weeping there cannot be wrath. Where there is sorrow and contrition, all peevishness must be far away” (Lohner, Tobia, op. cit., p. 534-535. Ex libris).

2170 Turn away an insult with a smile (ib., p. 534).

2171 The Lord commands us to correct our brother gently and sweetly, since the spirit of one who has erred is more readily moved to compunction by sweet words than by harsh reprimands. (ib., p. 535).

2172 Acquaviva, Claudio, Epistolae selectae ad Superiores 1 (Rome 1911).

2173 St. Francis de Sales (1567-1622

2174 St. Charles Borromeo (1538-1584).

2175 St. Thomas of Villanueva (1488-1555).

2176 St. Augustine of Hippo (354-430).

2177 St. John Chrysostom (347-407).

2178 St. Paulinus of Nola (354-431).

2179 St. Nicholas of Bari (270-345).

2180 St. Alphonsus Mary Liguori (1696-1787).

2181 St. Martin of Tours (316-397).

2182 My son, do nothing without counsel, and you will not repent what you have done.

2183 I, Wisdom, dwell in counsel.

2184 Let one of a thousand be your counselor.

2185 Epist. ad Henricum Sesonensem Archiepiscopum [Letter to Archbishop Henry of Sens]: PL 182, 344 ss.

2186 Cf. Jn 21:15-17.

2187 “I am with you when you seek counsel. I am with you when you pray. I am with you when you study.”

2188 Lord, behold, he whom you love is sick.

2189 “Lord, save us, we are perishing.” And Jesus said to them: “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then rising up he commanded the winds and the sea, and there came a great calm.

2190 3 Kgs 3:7-12: And now, O Lord God, you have made your servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a child, and know not how to go out and come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people which you have chosen, an immense people, which cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Give therefore to your servant an understanding heart, to judge your people, and discern between good and evil. For who shall be able to judge this people, your people which is so numerous? And the word was pleasing to the Lord that Solomon had asked such a thing. And the Lord said to Solomon: “Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, nor the lives of your enemies, but have asked for yourself wisdom to discern judgment, Behold I have done for you according to your words, and have given you a wise and understanding heart, insomuch that there has been no one like you before you, nor shall arise after you.”

2191 Prov 9:15: By me Kings reign, and lawgivers decree just things.

2192 Mt 13:24: The Kingdom of heaven is like …

2193 Phil 3:20: But our conversation is in heaven.

2194 Acts 7:22: in all the wisdom of the Egyptians.

2195 Go, therefore, and I will be your mouth, and I will teach you what you should speak.

2196 Wis 9:4,10: Give me wisdom that sits by your throne that she may be with me, and may labor with me.

2197 “Behold, I am with you in the exercise of churchly power.”

2198 Claret does not develop this outline, which corresponds to the plan he followed during the first years of his apostolic life.

2199 1 Tim 3:2-5: It behooves a bishop to be blameless..., one who rules well his own house, having his children in subjection with all chastity. But if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?”

2200 “You should not burden yourself with petty household matters, since you are in charge of sublime matters... For there are things that you should do by yourself, and others that you should do with the help of assistants, and still others that you should leave entirely in the hands of others, such as the governance of temporalities. In charge of these last, place some servant who is trustworthy, so that he will not gull you, and prudent, so that he will not be gulled, and give him full authority to do and undo, so that all will obey him, and no one will have to ask him: Why have you done thus and so?” (Ad Eugenium: De consideratione 1, 4: PL 182, 785B).

2201 Cf. 1 Sam 13:2.

2202 Don Luis Fernández de Portocarrero (1635–1709), Archbishop of Toledo and Cardinal.

2203 Don Pedro Moya de Contreras (1520-1591), first Inquisitor of New Spain and Archbishop of Mexico.

2204 Don Juan de Salcedo (+ 1562), Archbishop of Santo Domingo (now the Dominican Republic).

2205 The Venerable Juan de Palafox y Mendoza (1600-1659).

2206 Juan de Merlo, canon of the Santa Iglesia Catedral of Puebla (Mexico).

2207 Cf. Ex 32:1-7.

2208 Esd 13: 4-8.

2209 Cf. Gen 24:40.

2210 In a passage recommending devotion to the Guardian Angel, the Saint writes: “The seminarian should consider that the King of Heaven is his Father, as he calls him when he prays: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven.’ And just as an earthly king always sends a gentleman of the court to accompany his son, so our Father, the King of Heaven, sends us an angel to accompany, guard, defend and guide us. Therefore, the seminarian should respect such a noble and holy personage. He will refrain from doing anything he would not dare to do in the presence of a high personage of this earth. He will let himself be guided by his inspirations, and through his angel’s hands, he will present to God the works that he does” (WIS [Barcelona 1860] I, sec. 2, ch. 25, p. 274).

2211 Cf. Venegas, Miguel, Vida y virtudes del Ven. P. Juan Bautista Zappa (Barcelona 1754) p. 195. Ex libris.

2212 Cf. 1 Cor 15:31.

2213 Cf. Venegas, Miguel, op. cit., p. 237.

2214 Acts 9:6: Lord, what would you have me do?

2215 Mt 19:17: If you would enter into life…

2216 Mt 19:21: If you would be perfect…

2217 Cf. Ex 3:14.

2218 “The love of God is the cause of the goodness of things.”

2219 Ps 112:7 Vulgate, (Ps 113: 7-8): Raising up the needy from the Earth, and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill, that he may place them with princes, with the princes of the people.

2220 Ps 147:20: He has not done this for any other nation. The Saint adds “man” in parenthesis.

2221 Ps 115:12 Vulgate, (Ps 116:12): What shall I render to the Lord for all the things He has rendered to me?

2222 “God makes nothing in vain.”

2223 Lk 16:2: Render an account of your stewardship.

2224 Cf. 2 Cor 3:5.

2225 Cf. Is 14:12-15.

2226 Cf. Is 7:11-13.

2227 Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

2228 I have come to cast fire on the earth, and what I wan is that it be kindled.

2229 May I know Thee, may I know myself, that I may love Thee and despise myself: St. Augustine, Soliloquies, book 2, chap. 1, no. 1: Cf. The Works of Saint Augustine, A Translation for the 21st Century, Trans. by Edmund Hill, Augustinian Heritage Institute, New City Press, 2000. Also available online at Christian Classics Ethereal Library: