Anthony Mary Claret: The Missionary Forged in Mary’s Immaculate Heart

He survived a shipwreck, walked away from a promising career, preached to entire towns, faced an assassin—and forgave the man who nearly killed him.

Before any of that, Antonio Claret was simply a boy in Spain, falling asleep to the sound of his father’s loom and saying his Rosary without anyone telling him to.

As he grew older, Antonio seemed destined for a comfortable and successful life. Instead, he chose something very different. He became a missionary preacher, traveled wherever he believed God was calling him, cared for the sick when no doctor was available, and eventually crossed the sea to serve as an archbishop.

His journey was filled with unexpected turns, difficult choices, danger, and an extraordinary devotion to Mary.

Through this remarkable true story, young readers will:

• Discover the boy behind the saint and the choices that gradually shaped his vocation

• Experience real adventure and danger, from a shipwreck and missionary journeys to an assassination attempt

• Follow his transformation from a talented young worker into a missionary, priest, and archbishop

• Discover how his devotion to Mary and the Immaculate Heart remained at the center of his life and mission

• Explore his story more deeply with a glossary of Catholic terms, pronunciation guide, timeline, and ten discussion questions

Drawn directly from Saint Anthony Mary Claret’s own autobiography, this engaging biography presents real history through vivid, story-driven narrative nonfiction written especially for readers ages 9–12.

Perfect for independent reading, Catholic families, homeschoolers, classrooms, and religious education.

Part of the Our Friends the Saints series—bringing young readers face-to-face with the saints not simply as names from the past, but as real people who struggled, chose, persevered, and learned to follow God.

Antonio Claret did not know where every yes would lead him. He simply kept saying yes.