THE CLARETIAN MISSIONARIES

  "Use all means in spreading the Gospel,
especially those which are most timely, urgent and effective."

Saint Anthony Mary Claret

Prophet, Evangelizer and Founder of the Claretian Missionaries

December 23, 1807 - October 24, 1870

Saint Anthony Mary Claret was in born in Sallent, Spain. As a textile worker, evangelizer, missionary, and Archbishop, Anthony Claret revealed with power and compassion the love of God for all people, especially the poor and marginated. His devotion to the Eucharist, the Word of God, and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, led him to found the Claretian Missionaries, the religious community that serves San Gabriel Mission. In Claret's lifetime, his prophetic stances and faithfulness to the Gospel at all times, caused him to suffer persecution, rejection, and even attempts on his life.

Throughout his life, a basic characteristic of Anthony Claret's vocation was his struggle to find new ways of drawing others into collaboration in ministry. This focus resulted in his envisioning and undertaking projects such as an association of priests and lay people who would collaborate as equal co-workers; an organization of professional lay people (writers, professors, artists) who would use their talents to promote Catholic values and principles; a society for the promotion of books; various associations of lay people; religious communities such as the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (Claretian priests and brothers), the Religious of Mary Immaculate (Claretian Missionary Sisters),  other religious communities; and many other efforts to promote collaboration in ministry. The principles and challenges to collaboration which were presented by Anthony Claret are those which the church continues to encourage today, especially in the Documents of Vatican II (particularly in the Decree of the Apostolate of the Laity) and in Pope Paul VI's Encyclical "Evangelization in the Modern World."

Anthony Claret's faithfulness to the cross of Jesus led him to exile and death in Frontfoide, France on October 24, 1870. He was canonized a Saint on May 7, 1950: SAINT ANTHONY MARY CLARET-- Missionary, Founder, Preacher, Archbishop, Reformer, Writer, Evangelizer, Helper of the Poor -- A MAN ON FIRE WITH LOVE! His Claretian Missionaries, the Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, are continuing his legacy of spreading this fire of love throughout the world!

Our Community

The Claretian Missionaries are a Roman Catholic religious community of priests, brothers and lay people. The Claretians serve at San Gabriel Mission and are dedicated to the mission of living and spreading the Gospel of Jesus. We were founded by Saint Anthony Claret in 1849. Our official title is the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, but we are commonly known as The Claretian Missionaries. Today more than 3,000 Claretian Missionaries serve God's people in 57 countries.

Our Mission

The Claretians Missionaries are committed to seeing the world through the eyes of the poor. We strive to respond to the most urgent and timely needs, using all means possible to care for the spiritual and material needs of God's people. We have the special charism of community, mission, evangelization, and spirituality. A special commitment to the poor, recent immigrants, and in the forming of new leaders, reflect our prophetic mission as servants of the Word.

Inspired by the example of Saint Anthony Claret, a man on fire with God's love, Claretian Missionaries live celibate lives, share material goods, and are ready to be sent on any mission. We look to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, with special devotion and inspiration. She is our model as one who listened to God's Word, pondered it in her heart, and actively committed herself to furthering the Kingdom of God.

The Claretian Lay Evangelizers of San Gabriel Mission

Saint Anthony Claret's commitment to the service of the Word as a courageous prophet and missionary continues to inspire and call forth all baptized to share in his mission.  At San Gabriel Mission, Claretian Lay Evangelizers share the spirit of Claret through their spirituality, participation in small faith communities, and commitment to the service of God's people, especially the poor. The Claretian Lay Evangelizers meet regularly for discernment, spiritual growth, and leadership development. They provide an evangelizing leadership at San Gabriel Mission in many diverse ministries, including the promotion of vocations and justice and peace.  For more information about the Claretian Lay Evangelizers, please e-mail us at sgm@sangabrielmission.org.

Prayer to Saint Anthony Mary Claret, Servant of the Word

Father, you endowed your bishop, St. Anthony Mary Claret, with outstanding love and endurance to preach the Gospel to many nations, and you called him to be the founder of new religious families in the Church. Grant us, through his intercession, the grace to seek your will in all things, and to work tirelessly to gain new brothers and sisters for Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer for Vocations

God, Lord of the Harvest, look with love on your Church, which you entrusted with the tremendous work of evangelization. Through the intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and that of your zealous missionary St. Anthony Mary Claret, send many good workers to your vineyard to reap the harvest. Send into your Church many holy priests and religious to be faithful servants of your Word, carrying the Gospel to the whole world. Let them be loving and compassionate signs of your Kingdom. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

For further information about the Claretian Missionaries, contact one of the Claretians serving San Gabriel Mission, call the vocations office for our U.S. Western Province at 323-733-7712, or E-mail us at cmffvoc@earthlink.net.