St. Anthony Zaccaria

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The early 16th century was a time of profound shaking in the life of the Church and the world. Europe was reeling from the Protestant Reformation, which had splintered Christendom since Martin Luther’s break in 1517. The faithful faced confusion, lukewarm clergy, and loss of trust in ecclesial authority. At the same time, European powers were sailing beyond the horizon—conquering lands, expanding empires, and carrying the Gospel to distant shores. In 1522, the world seemed larger than ever when Magellan’s fleet completed the first circumnavigation of the globe, proving that no land was beyond reach—and no soul beyond God's call.

It was into this moment of chaos and opportunity that God raised up St. Anthony Zaccaria, a young nobleman from Cremona, Italy, born in 1502. Orphaned of his father early in life, Anthony was raised by his pious mother, who ensured his spiritual formation. He studied medicine at the University of Padua, becoming a doctor not just of the body—but ultimately, a physician of the soul.

Ordained a priest in 1528, Anthony longed to bring the light of Christ to a world darkened by error. He joined the Confraternity of Eternal Wisdom, where he worked alongside Countess Luiga Torelli of Guastalla, forming the Angelicals—a women’s community devoted to rescuing girls and women from moral danger and restoring their dignity through Christian formation.

But Anthony's vision stretched even further. In 1530, with two other priests, he founded the Clerics Regular of St. Paul, later known as the Barnabites. Their mission was spiritual renewal—beginning with the clergy, spreading to the laity, and centered on the Eucharist. Zaccaria boldly promoted frequent Confession, devotion to the Crucified Christ, and the Forty Hours’ Devotion—extended adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, offered in reparation for sin and for the renewal of the Church.

Though he never left Italy, Zaccaria’s life mirrored the missionary spirit of his time. As the Church was expanding globally through colonization and missionary endeavors in the Americas, Africa, and Asia, Anthony worked to purify and strengthen her soul at the heart of Europe.

He died in 1539, just 37 years old, yet left behind a burning legacy of reform, mercy, and Eucharistic love. He was canonized in 1897 by Pope Leo XIII, honored as a pioneer of interior reform and apostolic zeal.

“You will not be good at all if you do not strive to be better.” — St. Anthony Zaccaria

In a Church still in need of saints, St. Anthony Zaccaria shows us the way: to begin again—with holiness, courage, and devotion to Christ truly present in the Eucharist.