October 24: Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop—Optional Memorial

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October 24: Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Bishop—Optional Memorial

1807–1870 Patron Saint of the Catholic press, textile merchants, and weavers Canonized by Pope Pius XII on May 7, 1950 Liturgical Color: White

Quote: Love in a man who preaches the Word of God is like fire in a musket. If a man were to throw a bullet with his hands, he would hardly make a dent in anything; but if he takes this same bullet and ignites some gunpowder behind it, it can kill. It is much the same with the Word of God. If God’s Word is spoken only naturally, it does very little; but if it is spoken by a priest who is filled with the fire of charity—the fire of love of God and neighbor—it will wound vices, kill sins, convert sinners, and work wonders. We can see this in the case of St. Peter, who walked out of the upper room afire with the love he had received from the Holy Spirit, with the result that through just two sermons he converted 8,000 people, three in the first sermon and five in the second. ~from the Autobiography of Saint Anthony Mary Claret (#439)

Prayer: Saint Anthony Mary Claret, God set your heart on fire with a love for Him so deep that it overflowed into the hearts of every sinner you encountered. Please pray for me, that I will grow deeper in my love of God, and from that love will love others whom I encounter every day. Saint Anthony, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.

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Image: H. Zell, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons