St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria

St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria combined medical training, priestly zeal, Eucharistic devotion, and Pauline preaching to renew Christian life in northern Italy.

The story

Anthony Mary Zaccaria was born in Cremona in 1502. His father died while Anthony was young, and his mother, Antonietta, raised him in the Catholic faith. He studied philosophy before attending the University of Padua, where he earned a doctorate in medicine in 1524. He returned to Cremona and cared for the sick, but he increasingly recognized a call to the priesthood. After theological preparation, he was ordained in 1528.

Italy was then suffering from warfare, disease, religious ignorance, and serious failures among clergy and laity. Anthony preached repentance and a return to Christ crucified. He drew particular inspiration from the letters of St. Paul. Moving to Milan, he joined the noblewoman Ludovica Torelli and two companions, Bartolomeo Ferrari and Giacomo Antonio Morigia, in efforts to reform Christian life through preaching, the sacraments, and works of charity.

In 1530, Anthony and his companions formed the Clerics Regular of St. Paul. Pope Clement VII approved the community in 1533. Its members later became known as Barnabites because their principal church in Milan was dedicated to St. Barnabas. Anthony also helped establish the Angelic Sisters of St. Paul and encouraged organized groups of married laypeople. These foundations sought renewal among clergy, religious, and families rather than separation from ordinary society.

Anthony promoted devotion to the Eucharist and to the Passion of Christ. He encouraged churches to ring bells on Friday afternoons in remembrance of the Lord’s death. He also helped spread the solemn exposition of the Eucharist known as the Forty Hours devotion, though he was not its sole originator. His vigorous reforms attracted suspicion, and his communities faced formal investigations. They were cleared of the accusations brought against them.

Exhausted by work, Anthony became seriously ill during a mission in Guastalla. He returned to his mother’s home in Cremona and died on July 5, 1539, at the age of thirty-six. Pope Leo XIII canonized him on May 27, 1897. His optional memorial on the General Roman Calendar recalls a physician of bodies who became a priest devoted to the healing of souls.

What Anthony teaches

Anthony teaches that genuine reform begins with personal conversion and deeper union with Christ. The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life, as CCC 1324 teaches. Allow Christ’s love to impel your work for renewal rather than anger or pride.

Patronage

Barnabites, Angelic Sisters of St. Paul, physicians, Cremona.

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ, you gave St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria zeal for your Cross and your Eucharistic presence. Through his intercession, renew your Church, strengthen priests and religious, and make our lives instruments of healing. Set our hearts on fire with your love. Amen.