Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria
Feast Day: July 5
Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria was a Catholic priest from Italy. He lived during the 1500s. He is best known for starting a new religious order. He wanted people to live their faith better. He wanted both priests and regular people to follow Jesus more closely.
He is also known as Saint Anthony Zaccaria. Sometimes people just call him Anthony Zaccaria. He lived in a time when the Church had many problems. Some people were not following the teachings of Jesus. Many were not going to Mass or praying much.
Anthony wanted to help bring people back to Jesus. He spoke in churches and on the streets. He worked with others who wanted change. He also started a group to help with this work. This group became known as the Barnabites.
Anthony did not live a long life, but he did a lot in a short time. His work helped renew the Church in his area. His message still speaks to people today.
From Doctor to Priest
Anthony was born in Cremona, Italy, in 1502. His father died when Anthony was very young. His mother raised him with strong faith. She taught him to pray and care for others. She was a big part of his life.
As a young man, Anthony studied medicine. He became a doctor. He cared for the sick and helped the poor. But after some time, he felt called to do more for God. He wanted to care for souls, not just bodies.
So, he left medicine and studied to become a priest. He was ordained around the age of 26. He began preaching and teaching right away. He talked about Jesus and called people to change their lives.
He did not want to be just another priest. He wanted to bring people closer to Jesus. He saw that many people had stopped going to Mass. Many did not care about faith. This made him sad. He knew he had to act.
A New Kind of Team
Anthony wanted to bring new life to the Church. He could not do this alone. So, he gathered a small group of men who felt the same way. Together, they started a new group. They were priests who wanted to live simply and serve people.
They called their group the Clerics Regular of Saint Paul. Later, people called them the Barnabites. This name came from the church where they lived and worked—Saint Barnabas Church in Milan.
The Barnabites preached in churches, streets, and homes. They lived in poor areas. They helped people grow in faith. They taught about Jesus and helped people pray. They also worked to bring back respect for the Eucharist.
Anthony and his group also worked with laypeople. He believed that everyone, not just priests, could live a holy life. He helped start a group for married people and another for women. These groups helped spread the message even more.
Preaching That Woke People Up
Anthony was a strong preacher. He did not use fancy words. He spoke clearly and with care. He wanted people to see how much God loved them. He told them to turn away from sin and return to God.
He was one of the first to promote the Forty Hours Devotion. This was a time of prayer before the Eucharist. People would come to church to pray for hours. This helped many grow closer to Jesus.
He also asked people to go to Confession more often. He told them to receive Communion more often too. At that time, people did not do this much. Anthony wanted people to love the sacraments.
He did not work alone. He joined with other reformers. They all wanted to renew the Church. They knew this would not be easy. Some people did not like change. But Anthony kept going. He trusted God to guide him.
His Light Still Shines
Anthony died young. He was only 36 years old. He became sick while preaching in the countryside. He went back to his mother’s home in Cremona. He died there in 1539.
People already saw him as a holy man. Over time, more people learned about his life and work. The Church studied his life and declared him a saint. Pope Leo XIII canonized him in 1897.
His feast day is July 5. He is the patron saint of Barnabites. He is also a patron for doctors and for people working to bring change in the Church.
Today, the Barnabites still continue his mission. His example helps others live with faith and courage. He reminds us that even one person can make a big difference.
Daily Mass Readings
The readings for this memorial may be taken from the readings below, the Common, or the readings of the day.
- First Reading – 2 Timothy 1:13-14; 2:1-3: Remain faithful to sound teaching. Trust in God’s grace. Pass on the truth to others who will teach it. Endure hardships for Christ with strength and perseverance.
- Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 1: Those who follow the Lord and delight in his word will grow strong and bear fruit. But those who turn from him will fade, for the Lord watches over the way of the just.
- Gospel – Mark 10:13-16: Jesus welcomed the children and taught that the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like them. He held them close, placed his hands on them, and gave them his blessing.
Homilies, Commentaries, and Reflections
A Saint Who Didn’t Settle for Less
Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria shows us what it means to want more from our faith. He was not happy just being a good person. He wanted to follow Jesus fully. He saw that many people had grown cold in their faith. Instead of complaining, he did something about it. He preached, he taught, and he started a new group to help bring people back to God.
His life reminds us that real change starts with one person. Anthony was young. He did not have great power or wealth. But he had strong faith and a desire to help others know Jesus. He used what he had—his voice, his time, his love for people. We can do the same. We may not preach in churches, but we can share our faith with kindness and action.
Anthony also shows us the importance of prayer. He spent time before the Eucharist. He encouraged others to do the same. He believed that prayer brings strength. He knew that without prayer, faith becomes weak. We live busy lives, but like Anthony, we are called to make time for prayer and silence with God.
Lastly, Anthony reminds us not to settle. He saw that many people were just going through the motions. He wanted more for them. He wanted them to feel the joy of knowing Jesus. This is a challenge for us too. We may go to church or say prayers, but are we growing? Are we letting our faith shape how we live?
Reflection Questions:
- What is one small way I can grow in my faith this week?
- Do I take time for prayer, or do I rush through it?
- Am I helping others come closer to God in my own way?
- What part of Saint Anthony’s life speaks to me the most?
Keep Moving Forward
Saint Antony Zaccaria never stopped growing. From doctor to priest, from healer to reformer, he always asked, What’s the next good thing I can do? He made steady progress, step by step, becoming more fully the person God made him to be.
Progress isn’t about huge leaps. It’s about daily steps toward goodness. When you choose honesty over excuses, prayer over distraction, service over selfishness—you’re making progress. And that progress brings real joy. Don’t aim for perfection—just take one step today. Like Saint Antony, let your life be marked by constant movement toward God.
Resources
Igniting the Flame of Faith: St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria
This book tells the story of Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria, a priest who worked hard to fight against lukewarm faith. He believed that many people had lost their love and fire for God. He wanted to wake them up and bring new life to their faith. Wherever he went, he spread energy and love for Jesus. His words and actions helped people grow closer to God. The book shows how his strong faith and deep love helped change many lives and turn cities into places full of faith and light.
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Questions and Answers about Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria
Who was Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria?
He was a Catholic priest from Italy. He helped bring people back to Jesus. He also started a new religious order.
When was he born?
He was born in 1502 in Cremona, Italy.
What did he do before becoming a priest?
He was a doctor. He helped people who were sick. Later, he decided to become a priest.
Why did he become a priest?
He wanted to help people grow closer to God. He felt called to care for souls, not just bodies.
What group did he start?
He started the Clerics Regular of Saint Paul. People later called them the Barnabites.
Why are they called Barnabites?
They lived and worked at Saint Barnabas Church in Milan. That is where the name comes from.
What was his mission?
He wanted to renew the Church. He helped people pray more and love the Eucharist.
When did he die?
He died in 1539. He was only 36 years old.
When was he made a saint?
He was canonized in 1897 by Pope Leo XIII.
When is his feast day?
His feast day is July 5. This is the day the Church remembers him each year.
Keeping the Fire Alive
Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria lived with purpose. He saw problems in the Church and did not walk away. He stepped in with faith and action. He gave his time, energy, and love to bring people back to Jesus.
He used simple tools—prayer, preaching, and a small group of followers. He started something new, but he stayed close to the Gospel. He reminded others to take their faith seriously and to live it every day.
His life was not easy. He got sick and died young. But his work did not stop. The Barnabites kept going. His message still reaches people who want to live better and grow closer to God.
Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria reminds us that we can make a difference. We do not need to be famous. We only need to be faithful and willing to act.
Your Turn
Take a little time to learn more about Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria. His story can help us think about how we live our faith. You don’t need to do big things to follow his example. Small steps matter too.
We’d love to hear your thoughts. Did something about his life speak to you? Have you ever felt called to do more for your faith? Share your thoughts or your experience in the comment section below.
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