ST ANTONIO MARIA ZACCARIA (1502-1539) - 5th July

 Anthony was born into an Italian family and his father died shortly after Anthony's birth, and his mother, though only 18 years old, chose not to marry again, 

    preferring to devote herself to charitable works and her son's education. He went on to study medicine at the University of Padua and had no intention of either marrying or 

    accumulating wealth. While caring for the physical conditions of his patients, he also encouraged them to find spiritual healing through the sacraments. Ordained a priest at age 26, 

    Anthony is said to have experienced a miraculous occurrence during his first Mass, being surrounded by a supernatural light and a multitude of Angels during the consecration of 

    the Eucharist. The new priest encountered widespread ignorance and religious indifference among laypersons, while many of the clergy were either weak or corrupt. 

    In these dire circumstances, he devoted his life to proclaiming the truths of the Gospel both clearly and charitably. Within two years, his eloquent preaching and tireless pastoral 

    care was said to have changed the moral character of the city dramatically. In 1530, he decided to form a priestly society, the Clerics Regular of St. Paul. 

    He also founded a women's religious order, the Angelic Sisters of St. Paul; and an organization, the Laity of St. Paul, geared toward the sanctification of those outside the 

    priesthood and religious life. He died at the age of only 36. Nearly three decades after his death, Anthony Mary Zaccaria's body was found to be incorrupt.

    He was beatified by Blessed Pope Pius IX in 1849 and declared a saint by Pope Leo XIII in 1897.




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