THE FEAST OF ST ANTHONY MARY CLARET. MISSIONARY BISHOP.
THE FEAST OF ST ANTHONY MARY CLARET. MISSIONARY BISHOP.
WHEN THE FIG TREE IS BARREN.
"And Jesus told them this parable:
“There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none, he said to the gardener, ‘For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. So cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?’
"He said to him in reply, ‘Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it; it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.’” (Luke 13: 1 - 9).
Saturday 24th October 2026 in the 29th Week in Ordinary Time is the feast of St Anthony Mary CLARET.
(1807 - 1870).
Spanish missionary and Archbishop of Santiago, Cuba. He founded the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretians).
St Anthony Mary Claret was no stranger to the type of cruelty inflicted on the poor and marginalized people in most countries of the world.
Saint Anthony Mary Claret (1807–1870) was a Spanish missionary, archbishop, writer, and founder whose life was devoted to bringing souls to Christ.
Born in Sallent, Spain, he worked as a weaver before answering God’s call to the priesthood.
Ordained in 1835, he preached throughout Catalonia and the Canary Islands, encouraging repentance, prayer, and devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In 1849, he founded the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, known as the Claretians. As Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, he promoted education, renewed parish life, and served the poor, persevering despite opposition and an assassination attempt.
Recalled to Spain in 1857, he became confessor to Queen Isabella II while continuing his preaching and publishing apostolate. His love for the Eucharist and Mary sustained his tireless ministry.
He fought for the rights of these people in Cuba and at the end of his life, he wrote: “I have fulfilled my mission, I have preached the Gospel, I have kept holy poverty.”
He died in exile in France on October 24, 1870. Canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1950, he remains an inspiring example of missionary courage. His feast day is October 24.
Our key Scripture is the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree. This is an allegory for the People of Israel. The People of Israel is the Vineyard of the Lord. The Vineyard of the Lord is the Church.
God wants a good return on His investment in Israel, in the Church and in you and me.
How do we bear much fruit in the Church, which is the seed of the Kingdom of God on earth?
We remain in Jesus. What is the principle of productivity in the Church? We abide in Christ. How do we abide in Christ?
We live in Jesus through His word, the Sacraments, particularly the Eucharist.
The Eucharist is a holy exchange of gift. Through it, Jesus shares with us His divine life. Another word for God's divine life in us is sanctifying grace.
Our fruitfulness depends therefore on this dynamic relationship with Christ living inside us.
"Remain in me, as I remain in you, says the Lord;
whoever remains in me will bear much fruit." (John 15: 14, 15).
Fruitfulness is not addiction to activity. It is believing God. It is knowing the will of God for you and doing it. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. He will accomplish the work.
"I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked man, says the Lord, but rather in his conversion that he may live." (Ezekiel 33: 11).
"I am the source of all fruitfulness in the vineyard that is My Church. Apart from Me, you can do nothing. Come to Me, then. Remain with Me. Act for Me, guided by My Holy Spirit, and return to Me with thanksgiving. This is the secret of a priestly life that will be pleasing to Me, will build up My Church, and will glorify My Father." (IN SINU JESU page 103).
October is the Holy Rosary Month.
“From Mary we learn to surrender to God's Will in all things. From Mary we learn to trust even when all hope seems gone. From Mary we learn to love Christ her Son and the Son of God!” “As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.” (St John Paul II).
Say the Holy Rosary every day in October.
For Prayers, Consecration, Litany, Testimony of Jesus about those who pray the Rosary, click the link below:
No comments:
Post a Comment
23-Psalm1to2