July 5

Italian. 1502-1539

St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria was born in Cremona, Italy, in 1502. His father died while Anthony was an infant, leaving his education and upbringing to his young mother, a widow at 18. By age 22, Anthony completed his studies in Padua earning a medical doctorate. However, the medical practice was not to be his calling. He was instead called to heal souls. Anthony received Holy Orders in 1528, and worked with the poor and the sick. He was also a spiritual director and reformer. As a contemporary of Martin Luther, his reformations instead focused to build up the Body of Christ rather than to cause division and strife.

One means to reform was his founding of the Clerks Regular of St. Paul, commonly known as the Barnabites. This Religious Order was the first named after Paul the Apostle. Through his order, St. Anthony promoted a reformation program involving the combined strengths and experiences of Priests -- The Clerics Regular of St. Paul, Uncloistered nuns -- The Angelics of St. Paul, and Married people -- The Marrieds of St. Paul (laity). Though the Laity of St. Paul diminished after St. Anthony's death, the order experienced resurgence in the 1990s.

"That which God commands seems difficult and a burden.
The way is rough; you draw back; you have no desire to follow it.
Yet do so and you will attain glory." - St. Anthony Mary Zaccharia

St. Antonio Maria Zaccaria, pray for us!