HISTORY OF OUR PATRON SAINT
“A child educated in the fear of God will never be lost”
Saint Anthony Mary Claret
Our School is named after its Heavenly Patron, St Anthony Mary Claret, a 19th Century Catholic Archbishop of Cuba and Founder of the Congregation of Claretian Missionary Fathers.
Saint Anthony Mary Claret was born on December 23, 1807, in Sallent, a small town in Catalonia, Spain. From a young age, he showed deep piety and a love for the Blessed Virgin Mary. Though he first trained as a weaver, his heart was drawn to the priesthood, and he was ordained in 1835.
Filled with zeal for evangelization, Fr. Claret became a tireless preacher across Catalonia, known for his simple yet powerful sermons. In 1849, he founded the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, known today as the Claretians, with a mission to “evangelize through the Word, prayer, and works of mercy.”
In 1850, he was appointed Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, where he reformed the diocese, built schools, defended the poor, and courageously opposed slavery and injustice. He survived multiple assassination attempts, all while trusting in Divine Providence.
A man of profound prayer, Claret had a deep devotion to the Eucharist and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. He authored over 140 books and pamphlets, promoting Catholic values and education. His life was marked by humility, sacrifice, and an unshakable love for God’s people.
He died in exile on October 24, 1870, in France. Saint Anthony Mary Claret was canonized in 1950 by Pope Pius XII. Today, his legacy lives on through Claretian missionaries serving the society all means possible in over 70 countries.