Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, was born in 1502 in Lombardy, Italy and at only 2 years old his father died and his mother was only 18 years old and devoted herself to her son. He studied medicine and received his doctorate at age 22. He worked as a physician to the poor until he felt a call to religious life. He left his inheritance to his mother and worked as a catechist and was ordained at age 26. He established congregations of the Society of Clerics of Saint Paul for men religious and Angelics of Saint Paul for nuns. These groups helped reform the morals of the faithful and encouraged frequent reception of Communion. While on a mission, he became ill, and died on July 5, 1539 at his mother's house in Lombardy. It is said that in his last moments, he had a vision of Saint Paul. I think of his mother and what she had to endure in her lifetime. Saint Anthony's body was found incorrupt in 1566. He was canonized on May 27, 1897.
By learning about Saint Anthony, I am reminded of our Cursillo Ultreya tonight. The witness speaker gave a whole's life's witness and talked about loosing his brother when he was 15 years old. Even though I didn't "echo", in his talk I kept hearing God has a plan for each of us and we are all here for a purpose.
"That which God commands seems difficult and a burden. The way is rough; you draw back; you have no desire to follow it. Yet do so and you will attain glory."
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