i

An Illustrated Life of

Saint Anthony Mary Zaccaria:

Founder of the Barnabites and of the Angelics

&
Promoter of the 40 Hours Devotion
An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539) ii
An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539) iii
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539) iv

Preface
Once upon a time, while browsing the bookshelves at a Barnabite house, I came
upon a very worn, pocket-sized book. It was Illustrated Life of St. Antonio M. Zaccaria;
Founder of the Barnabites and of the Angeliche, Apostle of the Quarant’Ore (the original
title). This 16th-century zealous priest and founder of the Barnabites, the Angelics,
and the Laity of St. Paul. Anthony Mary was canonized in May 27, 1897 and the
book was published in 1900. It was then translated from Italian into English. What
is astonishing is that the book was in print over one-half-century even before the
arrival of the Barnabites to the English-speaking world.
The pages that you are about to read are the contents of that small book.
What a treasure! Great things sometimes do come in small packages. The language
used in the original translation was typical of the 19th century. Therefore, some
words and phrases have been edited into a more contemporary phraseology.

Postscript:
Editing the An illustrated Life of St. Anthony M. Zaccaria: Founder of the Barnabites and
of the Angelics and Promoter of the 40 Hours Devotion was, indeed, a journey in itself.
Along the way, I was blessed to meet friends, namely: Angelic Sister of St. Paul, Sr.
Rorivic Israel, ASSP, Miss Fran Stahlecker and Barnabite Confrere, Fr. Richard M.
Delzingaro, CRSP. Their heartfelt contributions led me to the gratifying completion
of this project.

Your co-pilgrim in the Lord,

Fr. Robert B. Kosek, CRSP, Ph.D.

Barnabite Spiritual Center — Bethlehem, PA

June 30, 2007, Commemoration of Saint Paul, Apostle
Titular and Principal Patron of the Clerics Regular of St. Paul
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539)
INTRODUCTION
Robert B. Kosek, CRSP
“The saints are the true interpreters
W
en we plan a road trip, we
usually begin by
researching the best route
to follow. We check a road
atlas for an overall picture and the best
information for traveling. The atlas has
been for years the best place to look for
facts about the highways and routes to
get us to our destination in the best way
possible. However, we often need
something a little more compact to take
with us. So we get maps to help us to be
better prepared. Sometimes the roads
are clearly marked making our journey
easy so that everything goes according to
plan. Then, there are times when we
come to detours or crossroads that are
poorly marked. What then? If we choose
incorrectly we become lost and
bewildered. The longer we go, the worse
it gets and the more confused we
become. The best thing we can do at this
point is to stop and ask for help. We look
for someone who is familiar with the
area, someone who has traveled these
roads before and who can give us the
benefit of their experience. So it is with
our spiritual journey toward heaven,
where Jesus is the Way to the Father. "I
am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" (Jn
14:6).
Each day we travel the path of our
spiritual journey toward God’s
everlasting dwelling place. If we begin
by using the "atlas" God has given us,
the Holy Bible, we have all the best
information at our disposal to make it a
v
of Holy Scripture”
Benedict XV (Jesus of Nazareth, 78).
worry-free journey. But life is also full of
detours and poorly marked crossroads.
It is at these times that we search for
help in order to reach our destination
without confusion. "People have always
needed models to imitate—writes John
Paul II—that need is all the greater
today, amid such a welter of confusing
and conflicting ideas" (Rise, Let Us Be
On Our Way, Warner Books, 2004,
p.192). Well, when we need guidance,
we look to those who have traveled these
roads before us, the saints. But where to
look for them? One of the surest places,
to find those models are in
hagiographies, sacred biographies. In
just a few moments you are about to
read one of them. It is going to be a
journey into the life-story of a man, who
lived in an ordinary place, in an ordinary
time but whose life, however, was far
from ordinary. The man is Saint
Anthony Mary Zaccaria. He is the
founder of the Clerics Regular of St Paul,
the Angelic Sisters of St Paul, and Laity
of St Paul. Hopefully, his life story will
assist you on your journey toward our
Father’s house in heaven. As you travel,
remember that the road to peace has
many crossroads, the most important of
these being the crossroad of Love.
Without Love there is no Peace. Our
wish for you is abundant love —of and
for God and humanity. We pray that
whatever path you take it always leads
you “home.” O Lord, “…guide our feet
into the path of peace” (Lk 1:79).
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539) 1

Chapter I
The Youth
1502-1524

A
nthony Mary was born in shine especially bright in him. God had blessed
Cremona, Italy in early him with such a sweet disposition and a heart
December of 1502 to the noble so full of compassion for the needy, that they
family of Zaccaria. His family very soon became an everyday concern of his.
had given the city over the years no less than The following anecdotes illustrate the
eighteen governors. His father, Lazzaro died tendency of the child toward piety and his
young when Anthony was still an infant. goodness of heart.
His mother, Antonietta Pescaroli, a In his home there was a small chapel
widow at 18 years of with an altar of the
age, might have Madonna. Anthony loved
accepted any of the adorning it in a manner
numerous suitors for inspired by his own
marriage. With her devotion and appropriate
great attractiveness her to the feast celebrated by
gifted mind and vast the church. He would go
wealth, there was every there with his mother for
promise of a brilliant morning and night
future ahead. However, prayers. He often spent
she refused every offer long hours of the day and
so that she could devote part of the night in devout
herself entirely to works recollection. The more the
of charity and the love of God increased in
education of her son. his heart, the more the
Anthony Mary desire to draw all hearts to
fully conformed to the God increased in him.
pious care of his mother From the desire to the act,
and grew up a little in an ardent soul like his,
angel. There was never a was almost immediate.
son more obedient and Our child soon became a
more inclined to piety little apostle. He took great
than he. His biographers delight in listening to the
attribute to him what the word of God and meditat-
Gospel according to Luke ing on it. On his return
says of the Child Jesus, that he “…increased in from church he would gather the servants and
wisdom and in years, and in divine and others in the house into the little chapel.
human favor” (2:52). There, in a manner far beyond his years and
Charity for his neighbor, however, seemed to with his heart burning with the love of God,
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539)
he would repeat the truths he heard in the
church, and on which he had meditated. His
words bore good fruit, for his listeners went
away deeply touched and filled with
admiration.
Let us see if that age of pride and
immorality would destroy the plans of this new
apostle in his adult years!
A second anecdote demonstrates Anthony’s love
of the poor.
One winter day, returning alone on the road
from the church, he met a poor half-naked
beggar who asked for alms. The sight of the
unfortunate man, whose teeth were chattering
with cold, touched the child to the heart. But
that day he did not have even a coin in his
pocket, so he passed by with his head bent and
his heart aching. He had only gone a few steps
when he felt an inspiration from heaven and
turned back. Approaching the beggar, he
comforted him and then, making sure no one
saw him, he took off his own rich silk coat,
threw it over the beggar and ran home as
quickly as he could. As he approached his
home, he began to fear that he would be
punished by his mother for having acted
without her permission. But this did not
happen! On the contrary, the pious mother
listened, deeply touched by the account of what
her son did and very gratified for this virtuous
act. She praised him for it, and as a reward
increased his pocket money, which he
immediately contributed to the relief of the
poor. From that day on the child seemed to live
only to do good for the poor. Whenever he met
those in want, he either gave them something
he owned or took them home so that his pious
mother might give them food and shelter.
Such unbounded charity towards his
neighbor, combined with tender piety and a
spirit of penance, which in time his mother was
obliged to restrain, boded well for him, and like
the relations of St. John the Baptist, all asked,
“What then will this child become?” (Lk 1:66)
But the sons of the rich and noble, if
they grow up without the intellectual culture
2
suited to their status in life, notwithstanding
the holy principles that have been instilled in
them, often allow themselves to be conquered
by their passions and abandon the path of
virtue to tread the path of vice. Anthony Mary,
strengthened by grace and already advanced in
the path of virtue, would perhaps never have
fallen away. Nevertheless, his mother, a woman
of great understanding, wished to protect her
son from every danger. Therefore, she enlisted
the help of teachers highly knowledgeable in
science and virtue to give the child an education
befitting his status. After he mastered the first
elements of Latin, Greek, and Italian and
showed himself strong in virtue and firm in his
Christian principles, she sent him to Pavia to
study philosophy, and from there to Padua for
the study of medicine.
One can readily imagine how many
pitfalls might confront a youth in these
universities who, noble, wealthy, and on his
own, finds himself in the midst of a corrupt
society. But Anthony Mary knew how to avoid
every temptation and led as holy a life at Pavia
and Padua, as he had led in Cremona up to this
time. The school, his house and the church
were the only places he frequented. His few
close friends were all good. His best friend was
Serafino Aceti, himself a young man of great
virtue.
The frivolous and impious students did
not fail to sneer at Anthony, calling him the
“old saint.” But he let them talk and went on as
usual without treating them any differently. On
the contrary, by his politeness and gentle
manner, he forced even the most wicked to
respect him, and ended by gaining the esteem of
all.
At age 22, Anthony Mary achieved his
degrees in medicine, not, as was common in
those times, by bribes and favor but by merit.
Rich in science and virtue, he returned to
Cremona in 1524. May our youths learn from
his example how they can be skilled in science
and shine by their genius without giving up
their practices of piety and purity of life.
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539) 3

Chapter II
The Doctor
1524

A
nthony Mary did not enter the adopted by other doctors of his time. The
field of medicine for the love of wise doctor was convinced that all evils arise
money. Given his wealth, he was from one cause, which is, sin. In order to cure
more than amply furnished; and the diseases of the body, it was first necessary
even if that had not been the case, he would to cure the soul. So, as soon as he was called
not have cared about it. From his youth, he to the bedside of the sick, he first urged them
had had the intention of leading a life of
celibacy, and now, more than ever, he felt
increasing in him contempt for the things of
this world and a love for evangelical poverty.
The principal reason he decided to study
medicine was the desire to be of greater help
to those around him. He thought that a
doctor, animated with the spirit of Jesus
Christ, could do great good for his neighbor
especially at the hour of death. For while
many keep aloof from the priest, either
through an aversion to the minister of Christ,
or through their own prejudice, the doctor
always had had free access. His advice was
generally listened to with respect and put into
practice.
In 1524, Anthony Mary returned to
Cremona as a newly certified physician. It
was here that he spent the next two years in a
medical residency. He quickly gained a large
practice. His noble birth, his affability and
modesty, and his skill in his art very soon
gained him the esteem and confidence of all,
so much so, that although still so young, he
was nominated a member of the celebrated to think of God, obtain His pardon, and
College of Doctors, shortly before instituted receive the sacraments. To the poor, besides
by the Duke Luigi Sforza, and enriched with the consolation of his kind words and the
many privileges by the sovereign Pontiffs. skill of his art, he also carried generous alms.
His mode of treatment was, From his inheritance, he seemed only to
nevertheless, very different to that generally
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539)
enjoy as much as he was able to bestow in
charity in order to relieve those in distress.
By 1526, Cremona was in a state of
emergency due to a plague. So great was
Saint Anthony's concern for the sick and the
poor, that the Zaccaria family mansion was
converted into a charity hospital. In this way
he accomplished a two-fold task, his care
embracing both soul and body. But the
extraordinary activity of Anthony Mary was
not limited to visiting the sick. For having
finished his visits to the sick, and to those in
the hospitals and prisons, he would gather the
children around him whom he often went
himself to bring in from the streets; the
carelessness of their parents had left them
abandoned. With great charity and admirable
patience, he taught them catechism, and the
way to lead a Christian life. Father Marcello,
his Dominican confessor, seeing the great
good that the children of the lower classes
derived from his instructions, urged him to
interest himself also on behalf of the sons of
the rich and noble. They were no less in need
of instruction and religious training than the
lower-class children.
Anthony Mary, accustomed to recognize
the voice of God in his ministry, began
immediately to hold conferences on Sundays
4
and holidays for young noblemen. The
conferences were held in the church of St.
Vitalis, afterwards called St. Geroldo, a
martyr. The church, still enshrines this
Saint’s ashes of the martyr, killed in
1241 near Cremona. These pious
discourses were given with such a spirit
of fervor and such deep learning that
the youths willingly left their worldly
amusements to go and listen to him.
Not only these, but persons of every age
and rank crowded there, wanting to
hear the new missionary (though in
layman 's dress) who preached so
powerfully by his example no less than
by his words.
It must, indeed, have
been marvelous for the people of
Cremona to see a wealthy young
nobleman who, humble and forgetting
himself, seemed to have at heart
nothing but the spiritual welfare of his
neighbor and the glory of God, of whom
he spoke with such learned eloquence.
His life, so pure and holy, was
withdrawn from every ex travagance.
Content with spare and simple food, he
gave up his body to mortification and
his heart to the love of God.
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539)
Chapter III
The Priest
1528
G
od granted Anthony Mary his
years as a physician curing bodily
infirmities in order that he might
have a better insight into those of
the spirit. These are much graver and require
a prompt and effective remedy. But the time
had come for him to take up the work for
which he was destined, namely, the reform of
morals. God, led him step by step as we shall
see.
Anthony, who had a most sensitive
nature and delicate conscience, began to fear
that he might at any time be the cause of the
death of others. This thought made him first
suspend his medical practice and then entirely
withdraw from it. The thought next occurred
to him that he might sanctify himself better
and be more pleasing to God if he were to
work for the salvation of souls as a priest, thus
devoting himself entirely to sacred studies and
works of mercy.
But in his humility, he saw himself as
unworthy of embracing a state of life which
calls for such sanctity. In his confusion, he
turned to God, imploring light and guidance
from the Holy Spirit. He then opened his
heart to Father Marcello, his spiritual
director, explained everything, and asked for
his advice. The latter asked for time to reflect
and pray, and some days after said to him,
“God calls you not to labor for the cure of the
body but for that of souls. Go and prepare
yourself by the study of the sacred sciences for
the great mission God will entrust to you.”
The young doctor did not hesitate to
obey, recognizing the divine call in the words
of his director. He laid aside his medical
books and devoted himself to the study of
theology, the writings of the early Fathers,
5
canon law and church history. He delighted,
above all, in reading and meditating on the
Epistles of St. Paul, and from these he drew
the most efficacious arguments to excite in
himself and others a fervent love for Jesus
Crucified, the devotion so dear to his heart.
In 1528, at age 26, he was ordained.
God’s deep love for Anthony Mary was shown
by the following miracle. It was recorded by
all the contemporary Cremonese historians
and attested in the process of canonization.
It was the custom in those days, as it is
now, that a priest's first mass should be
celebrated with great pomp and solemnity
and that a banquet should then be given in
the house of the newly-ordained. Anthony
Mary, who disliked all show and pomp,
requested that all exterior solemnities be
avoided, for he longed to be alone to celebrate
for the first time in quiet and recollection the
Divine Mysteries. Absorbed in meditating on
the great Sacrifice and his heart burning with
love for God, he went to the foot of the altar.
A profound and religious silence prevailed
among those present, and all eyes were turned
on him, a sign of the great event about to take
place. At the solemn moment of consecration,
a marvelous light encircled him and a
multitude of Angels descended, and
surrounding him, assisted reverently at the
Mass. This heavenly vision lasted until the
end of Communion. The joy and
astonishment of those present can only be
imagined. The report of the miracle quickly
spread through the city and each one thanked
God in his heart, sure that the new priest
must be the angel sent from heaven for the
salvation of the people and so, indeed, it
proved to be.
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539)
Chapter IV
The Apostle
1529
B
etween the years 1499 and
1533, the city of Cremona,
devastated by continual wars,
had changed rulers six times. In the midst
of such tumults (to which one could add in-
ternal discords, poverty, and misery), cor-
ruption of morals had made rapid and
appalling progress. The churches were
abandoned and profaned, the use of the
sacraments neglected, gross errors combined
with superstitions of every kind universally
prevailed, and vice reigned in all classes of
society. The sacred pastors either stood
aloof from their flocks or kept silent with
regard to this state of things. Such was the
sad spectacle that the city, formerly evan-
gelized with so much zeal by St. Omobono,
now presented to the world. Invested with
the sublime power of the priesthood,
Anthony Mary forgetting all that he had
done up to this time, decided to work with
new and increased energy to repair such
ruin.
To base his reform on a solid footing,
he first had to remove the cause of evil. So
he devoted himself entirely to rooting out
the errors and prejudices, honoring the
practices of piety and the use of the
sacraments and thus, once more, reviving
the faith.
He continued to hold conferences on
Sundays and holidays for the young
noblemen of Cremona in the Church of St.
Vitalis. He taught catechism to children and
other uninstructed persons and spent much
of his time among those who were so dear
6
to him, the poor. He visited them in the
hospitals and prisons where he was looked
on as an Angel of Consolation and was
beloved by all.
His house was always open to the
poor and pilgrims and to all who wished to
consult him either for advice or direction or
for comfort in their afflictions.
From this, an incredible amount of
good followed, not only for the poor but
persons of every rank. Citizens and
foreigners flocked to him attracted by the
fame of his sanctity. His sweet and gentle
manner and his affability won the hearts of
all who approached him.
It was his preaching above all that
showed his power as a reformer. His words
were inspired by his inward charity and
meditation on the eternal truths. He was
diligent in the study of the Sacred
Scriptures and writings of the early Fathers,
especially the Epistles of St. Paul. It was
from these that he drew his deep and
triumphant eloquence.
When he spoke of the deformity of
vice, the beauty of virtue, the necessity of
penance, or the obligation of loving God,
the words flowed from his lips in fascinating
eloquence. He put all before his listeners
with such warmth, and at the same time
with such clearness and grace that it
seemed, it was not a man but an angel who
spoke; such, in fact, was he called by those
who went to hear him, saying to each other:
"Let us go and hear the angel." Men,
women, nobles, working-class, and even
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539) 7

many of the clergy assembled in vast crowds,
eager to listen to the words that fell from his
lips.
After hearing him, they longed to go
to him for advice and help in spiritual af-
fairs, and to open their hearts to him.
Anthony Mary made himself available to all,
instructing them in private conferences and
attending to them diligently in the
confessional. Sinners, who up to this time
had lived in vice, now repenting of their bad
lives, ran to his feet deploring and weeping
over their sins. Many, who a short time
before, had been indifferent to the practices
of piety, now gave themselves up to fervent
prayer and the frequent reception of the
sacraments. Many, burning with a desire of
giving themselves altogether to God, either
renounced the world to retire into the
sacred cloisters or led humble and penitent
lives, occupied entirely on works of mercy.
Thus, the Countess Torelli (who was
a penitent of Anthony Zaccaria) asserts, that
at the end of two years, the city, owing to
our saint's zeal, had completely changed its
moral aspect. Such, indeed, was the good
wrought by him, and such was his special
power over the people that as the historian
Arisi asserts: "the city of Cremona, by
common consent, called Zaccaria, the
'Father of His People'." The memory of the
benefits received from him remained so
deeply engraved in their minds, and still
more in their hearts, that after his death a
column was erected to his honor with an
inscription in Latin. The following is a
translation:

To Anthony Mary Zaccaria

Angel in human form, Angelic man

Founder of the Clerics Regular of St. Paul,
of the Angelic Sisters,
And of other pious associations.
Destroyer of vices, Guardian of chastity,
Restorer of the service of God.
Perfect laborer for the salvation of souls,
Preacher of the Word of God,
Faithful disciple of St. Paul,
Indefatigable worker in the Vineyard of the Lord,
Constant enemy of the world,
of the flesh and of wickedness,
Conqueror of Demons.
Perfect image
of the ardent charity of the Holy Ghost.
Today a citizen of heaven.
The city of Cremona, rejoicing and proud
of the glory of its children,
filled with admiration for its citizen
now gone to join the Angels,
erects this monument
in token of eternal gratitude
for his saintly life and heroic deeds.
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539) 8

Cremona was not to be the only city to of St. Paul, afterwards nicknamed the
enjoy the fruits of the charity and zeal of Barnabites.
Anthony. A much wider field, was the The plan of work was conceived by
beautiful and populous city of Milan, which him in a moment. A magnificent program!
of all the cities in Lombardy, was the most The hospitals, families, prisons, churches,
corrupt. The time had arrived for Anthony public streets and squares were to become
Mary to begin his labors in this new field. the field of action. For the people, cold and
Some unforeseen circumstance brought him indifferent, would not come to hear the
to Milan in 1530, and he took up his abode word of God, so, in order to preach to
near the church of St. Ambrose. He was them, he took a crucifix and with this in
filled with horror at the sight of the evils
then prevailing. The habits of sin were
deeply rooted, and there was a complete
forgetfulness of spiritual things. It seemed
to Anthony that it would require, not a
man, but an angel of power and wisdom to
root out these evils and bring the people
back to the love and service of God. But he
did not lose heart. He wept and prayed, and
disciplined himself by flagellation, and then
fixing his eyes on Jesus Crucified, he said
confidently: "Of myself I can do nothing,
but this crucifix will give me the victory."
And he set himself to work. Here, he did all
that he had done in Cremona, preaching,
catechizing children and uninstructed
persons, as well as visiting the sick in the
hospitals. He soon realized that to cultivate
a soil so long trodden down, so choked with
thorns and briars, and bring it to a state of hand advanced into the streets and squares
perfection would require more laborers and in penitential clothing to preach the holy
an entirely new plan of action. reform. To see and to hear him were
Where to turn for these laborers he enough, his eyes shining, his face lit up,
knew not, for the priests were for the most every movement, every gesture, his whole
part like the people, intent only on the frame thrilling. Most striking of all were his
things of this world, and were, moreover, inspired words which clearly showed that it
ignorant and ambitious. It was then that he was the spirit of God that spoke and worked
thought of forming a body of clergy in him. Who is it who cannot see in this
according to the spirit of St. Paul, whose new apostle the image of St. Paul who, to
zeal they should imitate. From this, ori- bring souls to God, is ready for anything—
ginated the Congregation of Clerics Regular contempt, ignominy, torments, and even
death itself?
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539)
Chapter V
Clerics Regular of St. Paul
1533
T here existed in Milan a pious
association entitled "The
Sodality of Eternal Wisdom"
founded by St. Bernardine of Siena. Its
purpose was the practice of virtue by
means of the exercise of charity and mercy
toward ones neighbor. But at this time,
the pious association had fallen away from
its first fervor. Some good and generous
citizens rose up to put new life into it.
Among these, two young noblemen of
Milan distinguished themselves,
Bartholomew Ferrari and Anthony
Morigia. The former had always been
holy, the latter lately converted from the
vanities of the world. United by the ties of
the closest friendship, these two ardent
souls sighed over the awful corruption of
morals and longed for an effective
remedy. They were filled with these
thoughts when Anthony Zaccaria came to
Milan. These three met. They were
kindred spirits. Their esteem and love
were mutual and very soon a close
friendship was formed among them.
Anthony Mary, admiring their zeal,
soon laid before them his new program
showing what immense advantages would
be derived from it if, to put it into
practice, other priests would join him.
They would be free from every temporal
care, animated by the one spirit and living
under the same rule. They would be
occupied only in the service of God and
the salvation of souls. Ferrari and Morigia
who had already contemplated embracing
9
a religious vocation were so pleased with
this proposal that they not only praised it,
but associated themselves with Zaccaria in
order to put it into practice. They decided
on calling the new Congregation the
Clerics Regular of St. Paul, having for its
aim the imitation of the great apostle.
They are known also as the Barnabites.
The name Barnabites was given to them
because of their association with the
church of St. Barnabas in Milan, which
they acquired in 1545. The final
constitution was decided by a
commission in 1579.
By common accord a petition was
then made to the Sovereign Pontiff.
Clement VII, who on February 18, 1533,
sent them a Brief of Approbation and
encouragement. Anthony Mary then took
a small house near the church of St.
Catherine at the Ponte dei Fabbri. Here,
he with the two others, began their
community life. The following year, six
new members joined them, all belonging
to the most distinguished families. Thus,
having established the foundation of the
new Congregation, Anthony Mary's only
thought was that of forming the new
religious on the divine model of Jesus
Crucified. Therefore, contrary to the
maxims of the world, they should reflect,
as in a mirror the spirit of perfect
abnegation of every convenience and
comfort. As the groundwork of religious
life, he imposed in the first place poverty
in food as well as clothing; their food
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539) 10

generally consisted of herbs, vegetables, of Zaccaria, went through the city, crucifix
cheese and milk, a little fish and some in hand extolling the opprobrium and
fruit, and on great feasts they had a little sufferings of Christ. Others, burning with
meat of the poorest quality. Their dress a holy hatred for their past vanities and
was like that worn by the priests in pride went through the most frequented
Lombardy, but very plain and coarse.
They possessed nothing of their
own, everything was in common. To
poverty of spirit Anthony wished to join
humility of heart. Therefore, there was no
kind of humiliation in which he did not
continually exercise his children. To this
end, they had to divulge their faults in the
presence of the whole community. Also,
each in his turn had to lend himself to the
meanest household chores such as
sweeping, washing the dishes, and similar
menial tasks. Mortification was carried to
a very high degree, each one crucifying his
flesh with disciplines, hair shirts, vigils,
fasting and other austerities. Their time
was employed partly in prayer and partly
in the study of Sacred Scriptures,
especially the Letters of St. Paul. But it
was not enough to shut themselves up in
monasteries to pray and study. If the salt
does not season the earth, if the light
remains hidden under the bushel, how is places, meanly clad, to expose themselves
the spiritual ruin to be repaired, the to the sneers and derision of the vulgar.
darkness to be dissipated? They must gird Some dressed as mendicants stayed at the
themselves for work. They must come church doors begging or went about like
forth out of retirement; they must meet porters, carrying sacks. Others with a
corruption face to face and attack it in its heavy cross about their neck withdrew to
stronghold—the world. This was the idea the Cathedral, there calling aloud for
that Zaccaria had at heart and that he Divine Mercy, while others, through the
wished to see put into practice by his excess of their sorrow, made public
religious. It would be impossible to confession of their faults. There was no
describe the ardor with which these work of the sacred ministry that they did
fervent souls, at a signal from their not fulfill with the greatest zeal.
spiritual Father, threw themselves into Instructing children and the ignorant in
their work to move the people to the rudiments of their faith, giving
repentance and draw them to a Christian missions in the city and elsewhere, seated
life. Some of them following the example for long hours in the confessional, they
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539)
drew the people once more to frequent
the churches and to approach the
sacraments. And since the precept of cha-
rity to our neighbor is a double precept,
that of healing the wounds of the soul and
also that of helping corporal necessities, a
part of their time was devoted to the care
of the sick in the hospitals, assisting them,
washing them, and dressing their wounds,
thus setting an example of compassion
such as one sees only in the church of
Christ.
The city of Milan was struck by the
novelty of such things. The illustrious
rank of these who stooped to such acts of
abnegation. The ardor and sincerity of
their zeal was a spectacle to which even the
most dissipated could not remain
indifferent. These people of Milan and
also many of the clergy and laity began
now to lead truly Christian lives, and the
whole city was very soon to emerge from
the darkness in which it had so long lay
buried to awaken once more to the rays of
divine grace.
Hell, enraged at such defeat, armed
itself against Zaccaria and his companions.
First of all, the Devil went to trouble them
in their habitation, night and day,
11
disturbing their quiet by terrible noises
and every other imaginable annoyance.
Driven out by Anthony Mary who in the
name of Christ, commanded him to
depart, the Evil One raised a terrible
storm against the holy men in the city,
and exciting the hatred of the wicked,
instigated them to go and burn them alive
in their convent.
Foiled also in this, the Devil tried
other stratagems, turning the Court and
Senate against them. The fierceness of the
persecution had reached such a pitch that
even his religious began to waver; but
Anthony Mary was not a man to turn
back a single step. On October 4, 1534, he
gathered them round him, showing them
the picture of Jesus Crucified thus re-
animating their courage. Deeply moved,
they fell on their knees before him,
weeping and protesting that neither injury
nor contempt should ever turn them from
the holy resolution they had formed.
Innocence always triumphs sooner or
later. Anthony and his companions fully
triumphed, for shortly after, a new Bull
was sent from Rome by the sovereign
Pontiff confirming the new Order and
commending its zeal.
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539) 12

Chapter VI
Angelic Sisters of St. Paul
1535

A
mong the many evils that Whereas, before she never went out except
afflicted the church in in her carriage, magnificently attired, and
Zaccaria's time was the ruin accompanied by her numerous attendants,
caused by heresy and she was now always to be seen on foot and
corruption of morals in the convents of the quite alone, going even to the Senate and
holy virgins. In Milan especially, there was visiting the most distinguished personages
no longer any observance nor religious plainly dressed in brown clothes. Instead of
spirit in the cloisters. Anthony Mary, while the fashionable headdress then worn, she
he applied himself with his religious to chose a large black veil. Not only this, but if
reform the people, began to think how he by chance she met Zaccaria in the street, she
could manage also to was not ashamed to
found an order of nuns kneel down before him
which would serve as a and ask his blessing and
model and a means of accuse herself of some
reform to other religious defect. At other times to
as well as to their humble herself, and out
families. He was at that of human respect, she
time spiritual director to would present herself in
the Countess Ludovica the most frequented
Torelli of Guastalla and parts of the city, wearing
guardian as well as a torn dress and a
director to some young headdress such as was
girls whom he had, some worn by the poor.
time before, taken into a Now, as
house (near St. Ambrose) Anthony Mary saw that
to keep them from the these young girls (of
dangers of the world. whom we have already
Under such a spoken) were disposed,
guide, the Countess and both by desire and by
her young charges had their virtue to embrace
made great and rapid the religious state, he
progress in virtue. The Countess, who encouraged the Countess to petition the
before had loved to lead the fashions and Sovereign Pontiff for permission to found a
vanities in the world, had now such a new Order of nuns. Having received this
contempt for herself and her past life that permission on January 15, 1535, he gave
her example was a marvel to everyone. fervent thanks to God. He then bought some
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539)
houses near the parish of St. Eufemia and had
them converted to serve as a convent. There,
he sent his spiritual daughters to reside. How
admirable are the ways of Divine Providence!
Thus was fulfilled what had been prophesied
years before by the Blessed Amedeo, a
Franciscan, who, passing by one day and
seeing these houses, infamous dens of
immorality, of gambling, and of every vice,
exclaimed: "Blessed be God! A time will come
when these houses, now the abode of demons,
will be the chosen and holy dwellings of
angels."
On February 26, 1536, Anthony Mary
clothed some of these virgins with the
religious habit. When it came to settling as to
what name the new Order should have, a
young novice 16 years of age called Agnese
Baldironi, after all the other religious had
given their opinion, said, "I think we should
be called Angelic Sisters in order that this
name may continually remind us that our
lives should resemble that of the angels." The
proposition was received with acclamation by
all the nuns. Anthony Mary approved of it
and added the name of St. Paul (Angelic
Sisters of St. Paul), saying that the purity of
angels is only reached by struggling against the
flesh and by loving the Cross.
In a short time, this new order
became so renowned for the virtue of its
religious and the great good done by them in
other convents and families in Milan, that it
won the esteem of many of the bishops of
Lombardy and Venice who wished to have it
established in their diocese. It must be borne
in mind that Anthony Mary did not place
upon the Angelics the obligation of
13
cloistering. Anthony's idea, as we have seen,
was to send his spiritual daughters to work in
the busy world. He wished that their virginal
hearts should expand with maternal charity
towards all. To reform the convents of nuns,
to teach catechism to women and children, to
accompany the Fathers in their missions, to
assist the sick in their homes, to visit the
hospitals and prisons, and do all such works
of charity, such was the end for which they
were instituted and in which they would
probably have continued if, later on, the
Council of Trent had not imposed cloistering
on all nuns.
From such a vigorous apostolate, there
could only come forth the most abundant
fruits. The Angelics had, as a matter of fact,
three magnificent convents, St. Paul's in
Milan, St. Martha's in Cremona and St. Paul's
in Monza. These convents to which were
annexed boarding schools enclosed the flower
of the nobility of Lombardy. They were
afterwards suppressed with violence by
Napoleon I. Now, by God's grace, the
Angelics have been re-established by Father
Pio Mauri, a Barnabite and have a spacious
convent outside the Porta Magenta in Milan.
Now that their Founder has risen
more glorious than ever, the Angelics, too,
have risen, full of life and vigor. Happily, the
saint may have thus recalled them to rejoin
his sons with a view to a new apostolate,
vigorous as the first, to do good work in
society, which is now, in many respects, even
worse than it was in the 16th Century. God
grant that such may be His design. Fiat! Fiat!
(Latin) Let it be done! Let it be done!
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539)
Chapter VII
Laity of St Paul and Other Pious Works
W ith the institution of the
Barnabites and of the
Angelics, Anthony Mary had
already been able to gather an abundant
harvest from the field allotted to him by
God. But this was not enough for such zeal
as his. His heart was set on two other works,
namely, the immediate reform of the clergy
and bringing fervor to the heads of families
in the service of God and loyalty in meeting
the needs of their families.
He began by inviting the clergy to
spiritual conferences. He was accustomed
to holding these with his companions in
order that they might encourage each other
in the love of Jesus Christ and enkindle
their zeal in apostolic ministry. Priests at-
tracted by the fame which Zaccaria already
bore by his sanctity, flocked there in great
numbers. Before long, at these conferences,
were to be seen even prelates and among
others, Michele Ghisleri, OP of Bologna,
then inquisitor and afterwards St. Pius V.
Listening to these simple and fervent
arguments through which breathed the
interior charity of him who spoke, each one
felt his soul deeply touched and longed to
emulate even the holiest. There were among
the clergy many who, by their exemplary life
and ardent zeal, cooperated fruitfully for
the glory of God.
As Anthony Mary had thus provided
for the sanctification of the clergy, he next
turned his thoughts to recalling heads of
families to the observance of the evangelical
precepts. He established a congregation for
14
married persons (The Laity of St. Paul).
They met on certain days of the week in an
Oratory of their own and held their special
conferences with Anthony giving
admonitions while also correcting faults. It
followed from this, that each one entering
into a better knowledge of himself and his
obligations, began to work to reform
himself and his family. This worked great
good also for society. Moreover, Anthony
Mary led them to such degrees of' perfection
in the performance of their Christian duties
that Magistrates often chose from among
them the persons to represent the
administration of public offices.
From this Congregation, as branches
from the stem, sprang out several others.
Groups for youths, children and women
were established in Cremona and elsewhere.
Some of these groups later on, like those
established by St. Philip Neri in Rome, were
called Oratories.
Zeal for souls drew Anthony Mary to
found yet another institution, that of the
holy missions. Among these, was the cele-
brated mission in Vicenza. With his
religious and some of his nuns, he
introduced reform into the monasteries and
renewed the spirit of the citizens in such a
way that many devoted themselves to the
study and practice of the highest perfection.
One admirable conversion was that
of a young man whose life up to this time
had been one of worldly pleasures. One
day, as Anthony Mary was returning from
the Cathedral, he met a group of merry,
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539) 15

wild young men. Fixing his eyes on the one in Milan, of ringing the bell at three o'clock
who seemed to be their leader, he made his on Fridays to invite the people to remorse,
way over to him, and looking at him with reminding them how, on that day and hour,
tenderness, made the sign of the cross on his the Divine Redeemer died on the cross for
forehead. Immediately, the youth felt his the salvation of the world. It is certain that
heart inflamed with heavenly fire and the first to introduce the public and solemn
completely changed. Tito degli Alessi was exposition of the Quarant'Ore, or Forty
his name, and he no longer wished to follow Hours Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament,
his companions. He renounced his worldly was Anthony Mary. It took place, for the
life to devote himself to piety. In the end, first time in 1534, in the little church of St.
he wished to consecrate himself altogether
to the service of God in the Congregation of
the Barnabites founded by Anthony Mary.
He became a religious of great sanctity and
was the first administrator of the convent in
Rome and one of the Barnabites who
worked closely with St. Philip Neri.
The apostolate of Anthony Mary, the
Barnabites, the Angelics, the Laity of St.
Paul, the conferences for the clergy, and the
missions were his holy works for the com-
plete reform of society. Marvelous, indeed,
they were, if we consider the evils of the
times, the greatness of the undertaking, the
obstacles he had to overcome and, finally,
the atrocious persecutions that were raised
against him.
The desire now naturally arises to
know from what source Anthony Zaccaria
drew all the strength of his heroic charity. It
is not difficult to find its true source when
we reflect that he had always been, through
the whole course of his life, a fervent lover
of Jesus Crucified and of the Blessed Catherine where the saint and his religious
Eucharist. In fact, the love for and imitation held their services. Its novelty, the
of Jesus Crucified was the principal magnificent decoration of the church, the
intention and constant end which he vast number of lights burning before the
proposed to his children in their practice of Sacred Host, the solemnity of the
virtue. "The love of the Cross" became the ceremonies, to all of which the people were
familiar saying among them. In his letters unaccustomed, moved them deeply. The
he did nothing, so to speak but call to mind ardent exhortations of Anthony Mary com-
Jesus Crucified. pleted the work, and the Sacred Banquet,
To Anthony Mary we owe the that had so long been deserted, was now
custom, then introduced in many churches approached in great numbers. This sacred
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539)
rite was then introduced into other
churches in Milan; and when, two years
later, Father Giuseppe da Ferno, a Ca-
puchin, a man of great sanctity and close
associate and friend of Anthony Mary,
ordered that it should be held in all the
churches of the city, it became almost
universal.
Jesus, then, who, to redeem His
Spouse, the Church and render her without
spot or stain, holy and immaculate, died on
the cross. Jesus, victim of love in the Holy
Eucharist—He it was, who spoke to the heart
of Anthony Mary and infused it with such
heroic charity.
Anthony Mary never undertook
anything without first having implored
God's help in prayer. It was his chief
resource in all his needs as it was his relief
and comfort in his trials. During the day
16
his time was so much taken up with the
labors of ministry that he could not pass as
much time as he wished in prayer. So he
often spent the whole night in meditation
and sweet communion with God.
Eyewitnesses asserted that he was frequently
rapt in ecstasy and sometimes also raised
from the ground. Thus, the saints teach our
modern reformers and philanthropists, that
it is not the man who has withdrawn from
Christ who is the promoter of the civil,
moral and religious well-being of the people,
but he only, who identifying himself with
Christ, draws from Him life and movement.
For, let it be well-understood by our
modern society, Christ alone is the way, the
truth, and the life (cf Jn 14:5), and without
Him there can never be true knowledge nor
true civilization.
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539)
Chapter VIII
The Victim
1539
A
fter a stay of about a month at
Vicenza, Anthony Mary
returned to Milan. Since the
house near St. Ambrose where his
religious lived was not large enough for
the increasing numbers of the religious,
clergy, and laity who flocked to the pious
practices of their Institute, he began to
look for a place suitable as a permanent
abode for his Congregation. He had in
mind the church of St. Barnabas and the
neighboring houses. However, obstacles
raised by the proprietors were so great
that nothing could be done regarding the
matter. It was only in 1546, seven years
after the death of the saint, that they were
able to purchase the place. It was bought
by the Venerable Morigia, then superior.
It may not be known by all that the
Barnabites were so called from this their
first permanent residence, St. Barnabas.
Anthony Mary, in the meantime,
continued the works of his apostolate with
ever-increasing energy. Foreseeing his end
to be near, he wanted all his remaining
devotion and strength to be used for the
service of God. One could liken it to the
toilers of the soil who towards sunset
redouble their labors to complete the
work imposed on them by the master of
the vineyard.
The Countess Ludovica Torelli
having for many years dealt with
17
admirable patience the most unjust
persecution from her relations was finally
forced to sell her property of Guastalla to
Ferdinando Gonzaga, brother of the
Marquis of Mantua. This change of
owners displeased the tenants and caused
tension among them. The Countess asked
Zaccaria's help, knowing well his ability in
dealing with the most complicated affairs
and knowing also the veneration in which
he was held by the people of Guastalla.
Anthony Mary started at once, arriving at
Guastalla towards the end of May, 1539,
where he was received by all as an angel of
peace. He immediately ordered public
prayers to implore help from heaven. In
order to do the greatest possible good
among the people, he resumed preaching,
hearing confessions and all the works of
charity that he had already done in other
cities. So the people were not only pacified
but crowded to him in vast numbers to
hear his words, open their hearts to him,
or ask advice. His influence over them was
increased by an event which took place in
the following way.
One day as the saint was going
along the banks of the river Po, he met a
young man. Anthony Mary, courteously
greeting him, stopped, and fixing his eyes
on him with a serious yet sweet look said,
"I wish, my son, you would think well over
the affairs of your salvation and arrange
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539)
them while there is yet time, for my heart
tells me you will die much sooner than
you think." At this time the youth was in
perfect health. Nevertheless, struck by this
unexpected advice, he, there and then,
made his confession to Anthony Mary
with sincere repentance for his faults. It
was good for him that he did. The next
day he was called to appear before the
judgment seat of God, having met his
death by a terrible accident.
In this way Anthony Mary made
himself everything to everybody by his
ever-increasing zeal. But his body had
become weak and languid. It must be
known that to his labors, he added great
mortifications, for not satisfied with
taking very little rest at night, and even
this little was taken on a hard board, he
took so little food that he seemed to be on
a continual fast. Often he punished his
innocent flesh with hair shirts and
disciplined himself to blood; above all, he
did this when any new calamity befell the
church or when he saw a soul in danger of
being lost. At last, his strength exhausted,
he fell a victim to his unbounded charity.
Being seriously ill, he was moved
to Cremona to his mother's house. Here
they used every remedy that art could
suggest to preserve a life so precious, but
he told them plainly that within the
Octave of SS. Peter and Paul he would be
called from this world. He said to his
mother who was beside him, sad and
weeping, "Do not weep, my sweet Mother,
because before long" (as really came to
pass) "you too will come to enjoy with me
that eternal glory—that I hope (I am
about) to enjoy." Hell attempted in these
18
remaining hours a last assault, but after a
long and severe struggle it was conquered
once more; and God, as if to reward his
faithful servant for the victory gained, sent
him a sweet and consoling vision. In this
vision, Anthony Mary saw the apostle St.
Paul prostrate before the throne of God,
praying that his life might be prolonged
for the greater good of the Order founded
by him; but the other Apostles had joined
in an altogether different prayer and had
obtained for him the favor of being
quickly transferred to the glory of heaven.
He saw then, across the veil of time, all
that would happen to his Congregation,
the severe trials that it would be subjected
to, the hard struggles it would have to
undergo. But he was consoled by God's
promise that his Order should, by means
of these trials, gain much. He related the
vision to the Fathers Bartholomew Ferrari
and Giambattista Soresina who had come
from Milan to stay with him during his
illness. Then with burning words he
exhorted them to love religious discipline,
to maintain peace and fraternal charity,
and ever to advance in the love and fear of
God.
On the 5th of July (Saturday
afternoon), at the very hour when the first
Vespers for the octave of the Holy
Apostles were being sung in the church, as
he himself had foretold, and after having
received with the greatest fervor the Last
Sacraments, the soul of Anthony Mary
passed peacefully to God. He had not
reached his 37th year! A life short in
length, but long when we consider all he
had done for the glory of God and the
salvation of souls.
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539) 19

Chapter IX
His Glorification
1897

N o sooner had the sad news

spread through the city of the
death of Anthony Mary, the
mourning then became universal. Both
service with all his Chancellors; after these,
came his spiritual sons with a large
following of citizens to transport the
remains to Milan.
clergy and laity, with one voice, extolled the
sanctity of his life and his works of apostolic
zeal. God wished to testify to his holiness by
the following miracle. While the Fathers
Ferrari and Soresina were preparing him for
burial, they by accident left him a little
uncovered. At once, he stretched out his
hand and drew the covering over him. He
did this more than once to show that he
could not bear that, even in death his
virginal modesty should be disregarded. The
same miracle was renewed when, later on,
the Superior General of the Congregation
went to visit and venerate Anthony Mary’s
sacred body.
The funeral was solemn and
touching. The body was carried with great
pomp to the Parish Church of St. Donato
where it was exposed for two days. It would
be impossible to give any estimate as to the
number of people who flocked to pay their
last tribute to the servant of God. Crowds
continually came and went; some reverently
kissing his head and hands, others touching This translation was, indeed, a
him with their beads, handkerchiefs and triumphal procession. Priests and laity came
other objects, and some even cutting off out from the villages and castles where the
small pieces of his vestments to keep them body was to pass; and forming in
as precious relics. From this arose the procession, all went to meet it carrying
necessity of enclosing him quickly in a crosses, bearing lighted candles and singing
wooden coffin. joyful litanies such as would be done to
The Cardinal Bishop of the city honor the relics of a saint. In these pious
came for the celebration of the funeral demonstrations, the people of Castiglione
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539)
Lodigiano especially distinguished them-
selves.
The sacred body was laid on an altar
in the choir of the convent of the Angelics
in Milan where it rested for 26 years
remaining, entire and incorrupt. In 1566
an order came from the Holy See that no
corpse should be kept on the altars.
Anthony Mary was then buried in the crypt
that served as a burial place also for the
Angelics.
Anthony Mary immediately after his
death was, by the unanimous voice of clergy
and laity, honored on the altars under the
title of Blessed and St. Charles Borromeo
himself celebrated the holy sacrifice on the
altar where his relics reposed. But in 1634,
by a decree of Urban VIII forbidding any
public honor to be paid to those who had
not enjoyed it from time immemorial or by
the approbation of the Holy See, the
Barnabites took the pictures of their
Founder from their altars, and every public
honor that had been paid to him for 95
years then ceased.
However, the Lord did not cease to
make the merits and virtues of St. Anthony
Mary shine forth by favors and miracles
granted to those who (as was allowed by the
law of the church) continued to venerate
him privately. Consequently, the regular
process of Beatification was introduced. On
February 2, 1849, Pius IX, even from his
exile in Gaeta, solemnly proclaimed the
"virtues of the Servant of God, Anthony
Mary, practiced in a heroic degree," and he
authorized them to proceed to the further
acts for his Beatification. Leo XIII on
January 3, 1890 then restoring the ancient
devotion, which numerous and
incontestable historic documents showed
Anthony Mary to have had for 95 years,
ordered that he should be honored on all
altars under the title of Blessed.
20
The public devotion to their holy
Founder being once more introduced, the
Barnabites redoubled their efforts to
recover his remains. Their zeal was
rewarded; for, at last, they found them
exactly where they had first been placed and
guarded with so much love by the Angelics.
They were found on May 8, 1891 in the
crypt of St. Paul's, while overhead (in the
church) the Blessed Sacrament was exposed
for the Devotion of the Forty Hours.
The relics recovered, the Barnabites
set about preparing them for a suitable
crypt in their church of St. Barnabas in
Milan, which they looked upon as the
cradle of their Congregation. This crypt,
not only from an architectural point of
view, but for its exquisite ornamentation, is
a perfect gem of art. It is in the style of the
15th Century and is divided into three aisles
by beautiful little pillars of polished grey
granite, and along the walls, other small
pilasters corresponding with the pillars
support the arches on which the ceiling
rests. Over the altar is raised a small cupola
closed in by plate glass with an opening on
the choir of the church, thus permitting the
devotions to be assisted.
The table of the altar is a single slab
supported by small pillars and pilasters in
antique style, all of beautiful variegated
marble with bronze ornaments richly gilt.
On the step which surmounts it, rests the
massive gold frame which encloses the
miraculous picture of the saint of which we
shall speak later. The body of the saint is
laid under the altar. Clothed in his black
habit and his sacerdotal robes, his head rests
on a magnificent cushion. In his right hand
he holds a silver lily and his left supports the
book of the Epistles of St Paul. When the
front of the altar is uncovered for the
veneration of the faithful, the body of the
saint is seen perfectly. It is then that a
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539) 21

marvelous light is thrown on it, a light so crypt in honor of the Saint, after which
brilliant that it eclipses the light of the benediction with the relic of the Saint was
many lamps that burn around the altar. given. Every Tuesday after the Mass, the
The solemn inauguration took place favors obtained through his intercession
on April 9, 1893, in the presence of great were read from the pulpit and the new
numbers of the clergy and prelates and a favors asked were then recommended to the
continuous stream of people of every age prayers of those present. Then, benediction
and rank. Numerous pilgrimages were also of the Blessed Sacrament was given, which
made to venerate the body of the saint.
Among these, that from Crema was
remarkable — at its close a priest having
been instantaneously cured, and also that
from Cremona, the saint's native city, which
numbered as many as twenty thousand
pilgrims.
In the meantime, the process of
canonization was proceeding rapidly. The
miracles presented were approved and,
finally, the reigning Pontiff, Leo XIII,
raised Blessed Anthony Mary to the
supreme honor upon the Altars under the
title of Saint on May 27, 1897, celebrating
the feast with solemn pomp at the Vatican
Basilica in Rome.
The crypt, having been described,
let us now see what is still more important,
how the devotions are carried out, with
what fervor it is visited, and what heavenly
favors God ever showers down on this spot
for the glory of his servant Anthony and for
the temporal as well as spiritual good of his
faithful clients. Hardly had the crypt been
opened and the altar consecrated in 1893
then, as we have already mentioned, there was followed by the blessing with and
was a constant stream of people from many veneration of the relic of the Saint. What
places going to a most celebrated sanctuary. was then established is still followed strictly;
We have already spoken of the great moreover, on account of the great numbers
pilgrimages of Crema, Cremona, and Lodi who attend these devotions, services are also
besides the great numbers who came on held on Tuesday evening with special
private pilgrimages. As this outburst of prayers to the Saint and benediction and
devotion, far from dying out, was daily on veneration of the sacred relic. To form an
the increase, special services had to be held idea of the great favors showered down by
to satisfy the devotion of the faithful. Mass Divine Providence in these tempestuous
was daily celebrated at a fixed hour in the times by the revival of devotion to Saint
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539)
Anthony Mary, it is enough to count the
votive offerings of those who, for favors
received, thus publicly testify their
gratitude, and the great number of lamps
kept (at the expense of the faithful)
constantly burning before the shrine.
To God alone is known the many
graces that are asked in private from this
His great servant. In the short space that
elapsed between June and November 1893,
over two hundred thanksgivings were made
from the pulpit for every kind of favor,
spiritual and temporal. Of these favors,
although only a short sketch is kept, enough
remains to touch us and fill us with
admiration. Among those who have
recourse to the Saint are persons of every
age and condition, not only those of the
humbler classes but also others of rank,
clergy, laity, whole religious communities
and entire countries. Favors are asked in
every kind of sickness that surgical and
medical art has ever dealt with and diseases
that have been pronounced beyond the
reach of human science. The poor, reduced
to dire need, look to him as their supreme
helper. Young people and students
recommend themselves to him for the
success of their examinations, or for help in
the choice of a state of life, or that he may
remove the obstacles that prevent them
embracing the state already chosen. In
short, all, old and young, rich and poor
22
come to him with loving trust, laying before
him their every want, anxiety, and care.
One reads most touching appeals
from Christian teachers who recommend
their young charges to the Saint that they
may grow up pure and holy, fearing and
loving God. Among the spiritual favors that
are asked are some that go to one's very
heart. Many a mother offers up tears and
prayers for the conversion of a dissolute,
irreligious son, lead astray by bad
companions and now a disgrace to his name
and a source of bitter sorrow to his family.
Wives who ask graces for their profligate
husbands who care for neither family nor
religion. Poor things! It seems as if they
have no moment of calm except the time
spent in praying and recommending
themselves to blessed Anthony. It would
bring tears to one's eyes to read the words of
a daughter who asked for prayers that her
father return and be reconciled to her
mother, or those of a wife who implores
prayers for her husband.
This veneration, so pure, so fervent,
that flows forth before this sacred Tomb
reveals much to those who come there to
pray. It teaches many important truths
even to those who believe themselves to be
experienced in and capable of educating
their families and promoting the welfare of
the people.
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539)
Chapter X
The Wonder Worker
1873 - 1876
D uring his lifetime, Anthony
Mary is not known to have
worked many miracles. However,
the gift of working miracles which he did
not have on earth, God granted him to a
very high degree after his death. Very
numerous are the miracles worked through
his intercession. In olden times, clear
testimony of this is given by many writers.
Giuseppe Bresciani in his Crown of
Cremonese Saints, speaking of Zaccaria, says
expressly, "that after his death the Lord
worked many miracles and favors." Agostino
Barbosa, the celebrated jurist consultant, in
his work on Ecclesiastical Rights (1628),
writes of Zaccaria, " that as he was holy in
life, so he was illustrious after death by the
glory of his miracles." And the same is
confirmed by other writers such as Angelica
Gonzaga.
Of the miracles worked in the past, we shall
mention only the one with interesting value
connected with the miraculous picture that
is preserved and placed for veneration over
the altar where the body of the Saint lays.
Father Faustino Premoli, rector of
the Barnabite College in Crema, on the
evening of July 15, 1747, kneeling before a
picture of Anthony Mary, prayed fervently
that God would condescend to render the
Saint illustrious by some new and striking
miracle in order that the Barnabites might
be enabled to appeal for the process of his
beatification. The next day some devout
persons were praying as usual before the
picture when, behold, they saw it
23
surrounded by a bright light. The Servant
of God, letting the lily (which before was
upright) fall down on his left arm, raised his
right hand from his breast and blessed them
as a priest does at the altar. While this
happened, Father Premoli, who was facing
the people, (for he was giving them the
blessing with the relic of the Saint) seeing in
them a certain awe and wonder, asked what
had happened; but no one dared to speak.
The apparition over which they exclaimed,
"Oh! What a miracle, what a wonderful
miracle we have seen!" Those who were
present related what had occurred. A
standing proof remained in the picture
itself, for neither the left hand of the Saint
nor the lily took their former position. This
was verified not only by Father Premoli, but
also by many persons who remembered how
the picture had first been painted; among
these was the painter Tommaso Picenardi
who had taken some copies of it.
In the 19th century, we can say
without question that the graces received
through the intercession of the Saint can be
counted by hundreds. Space, however, will
only permit to give the three miracles that
served for the canonization of St. Anthony
Mary and a few other miraculous incidents
that happened in later dates.
THE FIRST MIRACLE
The first took place at Castagnolo Minore
near Bologna in 1876. Vincenzo Zanotti, a
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539) 24

THE SECOND MIRACLE

Much more striking is the following cure

which took place in Cremona on May 21,
1873. Paola Aloni, 42 years of age, was
suffering from an incurable organic spinal
condition which had kept her bedridden for
seven years. Her sufferings increased to such
an extent that she got no rest neither night
nor day. For four months, she had been
unable to take any food except a little broth.
On May 15, 1873, the Last Sacraments were
administered to her. However, she
continued to recommend herself to St.
Anthony Mary, to whom she had for six
months been making novena after novena,
believing all the time that the saint would
cure her. "I have never been as ill as I am
now, " she said to her confessor, "and this
shows the favor is about to be granted. You
will see a great miracle.” As a matter of fact,
peasant, 20 years of age, because of a
muscular sprain, developed varicose veins in
his left leg. Ulcers soon formed and he
continued in this state for 45 years. His
sufferings became unbearable. Having lost all
hope of regaining his health, Vincenzo
Zanotti, on the advice of one of his friends,
turned to St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria. With
all the fervor of a soul full of faith, he made a
novena and then a triduum to the Saint. He
applied the pannolino (a small piece of linen
that had touched the bones of the Saint),
which he had, to the part affected. God
rewarded his faith, for at the end of the
triduum he found the leg perfectly cured. He
and all present including the doctor cried
out, "A miracle!" Vincenzo, being completely
restored to health, took up his usual work.
Six years later, an investigation was made in
Bologna on this truly miraculous cure. He
deposed on oath, “I, from that day, have
always been perfectly well."
the miracle was not delayed. On the
morning of May 21, she felt an irresistible
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539)
power urging her to rise from her bed.
Fearing that she would not be able to stand
on account of her great weakness, she asked
to be touched with the relic of the Saint. In
a moment she regained her strength and
without help rose from her bed. Her malady
had disappeared. She was perfectly cured!
People came and went all day, wanting to
witness for themselves the great miracle that
had been worked.
THE THIRD MIRACLE
Francesco Aloni, 52 years of age, a brother
of Paola Aloni, had suffered for three years
from ulcers and sores in his leg caused by
varicose veins. The pus that issued from
these sores was frightful, and the sufferings
of the poor man daily increased. In the
summer of 1876, his state became very
serious obliging him to stay in bed. After
having been kept in two hospitals for several
months, he was dismissed, his case having
been pronounced chronic and incurable.
25
The poor man left the hospital crawling
rather than walking. Unable to get home,
he dragged himself to his sister's house
which was near. She, seeing him in such a
sad state, said to him, as if inspired from on
high, "Francesco, have you never
recommended yourself to the Blessed
Zaccaria?" To this he never answered but
burst into tears. The sister too wept, but full
of confidence, she touched his leg with the
relic of Anthony Mary, saying, "Through
the intercession of Blessed Zaccaria may
God restore you!" For a while both
remained silent. Then Paola added,
"Francesco, promise me to make a novena
to the Saint." The brother promised and left
the house in better spirits. Francesco and
Paola prayed fervently for the nine days. On
the ninth day, October 23, 1876, the leg was
straightened. What a moment that was! The
leg was perfectly healed. He ran to his
sister's house anxious to relate the miracle.
"My Paola, he cried, I am cured. Tomorrow
I will return to my work", and so he did. So
complete was his cure that from that day he
enjoyed perfect health.
Other Miraculous Signs of the Saint
A young Italian woman, Eliza Greco, was in
great trouble, seeing no prospect of the
obstacles to her marriage being removed.
She was engaged to an officer who, on
account of his financial circumstances and
his health, found it utterly impossible to
carry out his wishes. To make matters
worse, there was no prospect of his being
ordered to the African Colonies. He wanted
to retire from the army, but this did not
lessen the difficulties. There were also
drawbacks, to his getting other
appointments. Those to whom he applied
seemed to think it strange that he should
wish to change his profession. Meanwhile,
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539)
the lady to whom he was engaged, being in
the habit of attending parish church of the
Barnabites, heard in a sermon of the many
and wonderful favors obtained through the
intercession of St. Anthony Mary. She made
some special promises to the Saint and
began a novena in his honor. Her faith was
very soon rewarded for, contrary to all
expectations, the officer obtained a splendid
appointment that put an end to all their
difficulties. On May 3, 1899, they hung a
silver heart that might serve as a lasting
token of their loving gratitude to their
heavenly near the tomb St. Anthony Mary
Benefactor.
December, 1893
A young girl named Adalgisa Comelli,
working as director in the Istituto Girelli at
Marone, on the Lago d'Iseo, was attacked by
a disease beginning with a sore behind her
right ear. This remained a deep and open
wound till at last the bone became infected.
Every remedy was tried and several
specialists were consulted, but nothing
could be done. Year after year, things grew
worse. Towards the end of October 1898, it
was decided that an operation must be
performed and a part of the skull removed.
The poor girl worn out from pain, and
frightened at the thought of the terrible
operation, asked to have it postponed for
nine days. On the advice of the Directress of
the Institute, she turned with all her heart
to St. Anthony Mary. Using no further
remedies, but consecrating these nine days
to the Saint, she begged his help
recommending all of herself to him. She
also received from the Directress a relic of
the Saint to put under her pillow. What a
joy to find, on the morning of the ninth
day, that she had not only slept all night
and no longer felt any pain, but that she was
26
perfectly cured. The wound was healed, and
there was no longer any trace or mark of the
disease that had caused her such frightful
sufferings for eight years. She at once had a
Mass said in thanksgiving to St Anthony
Mary.
May, 1899
Gustavo Mortara of Canneto sull'Oglio had,
for fourteen months, been suffering from
complications of diseases. His whole body
was one immense sore, and a gangrene had
already set in. The doctors had given up,
and he awaited death. He could not hope
in God because he hardly knew God existed.
His wife, who was a devout Catholic, used
every means in her power to get him to go
with her to visit the altar of St. Anthony
Mary. She used every persuasion, and with
the help of others, at last induced him to go
with her to the church. Entering, he asked
what altar might that be where he saw so
many votive offerings. She told him it was
the altar of St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria who
worked such wonderful miracles and cured
so many who invoked his intercession. "Oh"
he said with a sneer, "you mean to say I
suppose that I, too, shall be cured." His
wife, always sweet and gentle to him,
explained that to be cured, one must pray.
After great persuasion, she made him
promise to join her in saying an Our Father,
a Hail, Mary, and a Glory Be for nine days
in honor of St Anthony Mary. She stayed
by his bedside, night and day which
required more than human strength and
courage; for the exhalations from the sores
which covered his body made it almost
impossible to approach him. She prayed
without ceasing and got others to pray for
him. The sick man kept his word faithfully
and read (for he did not know a prayer) the
Our Father, Hail, Mary and the Glory Be
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539)
every day. On the morning of the fifth day
of the novena to the Saint, after having slept
all night, he awoke and cried out joyfully to
his wife, "Teresa, I am cured! I am perfectly
well! That saint has cured me, it is certainly
he who has done it."
It was true. The sores were all
perfectly healed. His skin, that had been the
color of bronze, had assumed its natural
color. His appetite had returned. In short,
he was in perfect health.
On May 11, 1899, he came with his
wife and daughter to the church to thank
St. Anthony Mary for the wonderful
miracle. He had a Mass of thanksgiving
celebrated at his altar, promising to make a
votive offering at his shrine and to recite in
honor of his heavenly Benefactor an Our
Father, Hail, Mary and a Glory Be every day
for as long as he lived.
September, 1899
Antonio Marazzi, a father of a family of
eight, the eldest of whom was not 21 years
of age, fell from a hayloft. His head, having
hit a sharp stone was terribly cut. He was
immediately brought to the hospital where
it was found that the wound was more than
3.5 inches deep. Almost immediately,
27
tetanus, or what is more commonly known
as “lock-jaw”, set in. After a careful
examination, several doctors pronounced
his case hopeless. One of his daughters and
his sister-in-law (both of whom were hospital
nurses), seeing that there was no longer any
hope, turned to St. Anthony Mary. They
put a pannolino on the sick man, had a
Mass celebrated at the tomb of the Saint,
and began a novena in his honor. This great
Saint, so sweet and loving in life, and now
ever ready to sympathize with those who in
their sorrow turn to him with love and
confidence, crowned their faith by working
a wonderful miracle in Marazzi’s favor. The
man was restored to perfect health. The
cure was so complete that, as was testified by
his sister-in-law on September 2, 1899, he
was able to take up his usual employments
just as though he had never been ill. These
facts are not only attested by eyewitnesses
but also are recorded in the hospital register
where, not only this case, but also the
circumstances connected with the cure, are
minutely described.
 An Illustrated Life of St Anthony Mary Zaccaria (1502 - 1539) 28

Triduum
in honor to St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria
to obtain any favor spiritual or temporal

™ 0 most merciful God, Creator and Preserver of the world and Lord of
the life and death of all people, hear our humble and confident prayer,
and by the mediation of St. Anthony Mary, deign to deliver us speedily
from every spiritual and temporal evil.
ƒ Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory…

™ O most loving God, Author of peace and every consolation, hear our
fervent desires and may it please God by the intercession of St.
Anthony Mary to console us kindly in every anguish and in all sorrows.
ƒ Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory…

™ 0 most Bountiful God, Giver of every gift and Dispenser of all graces,
receive propitiously our fervent prayers, and vouchsafe through the
merits of St. Anthony Mary, to defend us from every menace and every
peril and to aid us opportunely in our every want.
ƒ Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory…

V: Pray for us O Saint Anthony Mary

R: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray: Lord, enable us to grasp in the spirit of St. Paul, the sublime
wisdom of Jesus Christ, the wisdom which inspired the Saint Anthony Mary
Zaccaria to preach the message of salvation in your Church. Grant this
through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and
the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Used with Ecclesiastical Approbation

© Barnabite Fathers