Anthony Zaccaria

Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria was born in December 1502 in Cremona, Italy. Orphaned of his father at two, he was raised by a noble mother who taught him compassion by making him her almoner to the poor. After studies at Pavia and Padua, he returned home as a physician, but his care for the sick and the needy drew him to a deeper healing: the priesthood. Ordained on February 20, 1529, he soon went to Milan, where his preaching and tireless charity helped awaken faith in a troubled time. With companions inspired by Saint Paul, Anthony promoted ardent love for Christ crucified and the Holy Eucharist, reviving public remembrance of the Lord’s Passion and spreading Eucharistic adoration, including the Forty Hours devotion. He founded the Clerics Regular of Saint Paul, known as the Barnabites, along with the Angelic Sisters of Saint Paul and a lay movement for married people, seeking renewal of clergy and laity alike. Though investigated twice for heresy, he was cleared and persevered in humility. He died at 36 on July 5, 1539. He is patron of the Barnabites and of physicians. His feast day is July 5.