Our Patron

St. Anthony Mary Claret was a Spanish Catholic priest, bishop, and founder of the Claretian Missionaries. He is known for his tireless missionary work, commitment to social justice, and his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Born on December 23, 1807, in Sallent, Catalonia, Spain, Anthony Mary Claret was the fifth of eleven children. He was ordained a priest in 1835. After serving as a parish priest, he became a missionary, traveling throughout Catalonia and preaching to the poor and marginalized. In 1849, Claret founded the Congregation of Missionaries, Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, commonly known as the Claretian Missionaries. The Claretians work tirelessly to spread the Gospel and promote social justice through education, evangelization, and charitable works. In 1850, Claret was appointed Bishop of Santiago de Cuba, where he worked tirelessly to promote education, healthcare, and social reform. He founded schools, hospitals, and orphanages, and advocated for the rights of the poor and oppressed. Today the Claretian Missionaries work in over 70 countries around the world. Africa: 22 countries; Asia: 17 countries; Europe: 14 countries; Americas: 17 countries; Oceania: 2 countries (Australia and Papua New Guinea).