My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, especially you, the beloved parishioners of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as we gather this Wednesda...
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, especially you, the beloved parishioners of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as we gather this Wednesday for our Novena Mass in honor of St. Anthony Mary Claret.
The Scriptures today give us a demanding, yet beautiful, portrait of the Christian life. St. Paul warns us in Romans 6 to reject the "slavery of sin" and become servants of righteousness. Jesus, in the Gospel of Luke, gives a stark warning to be "watchful and faithful servants," reminding us that to whom much is given, much will be required. We are accountable not just for what we do, but for what we know.
In the midst of this challenge, the lives of the two saints we honor today—St. Anthony Mary Claret and St. John Paul II—show us precisely how to live out this demanding calling with joy.
Our Novena theme highlights St. Anthony Mary Claret's zeal in using "every means... to spread the faith effectively." And the prophet Isaiah, in the Mass for St. John Paul II, asks, "How beautiful are the feet of the messenger, who announces peace, who brings good news?"
The message of all these readings and commemorations can be summarized by three words, all beginning with 'C': Commitment, Creativity, and Care.
1. Commitment: The Foundation
Commitment is the foundation that anchors the watchful servant. It is the deep, spiritual fidelity Jesus demands. It means total and unreserved dedication to Christ's mission, even when the path is difficult.
St. Anthony Mary Claret, a true man of God, was relentlessly persecuted, but his zeal never wavered. He understood that living the Gospel meant risking everything for the Kingdom. He confessed in his Autobiography: "I would gladly risk everything to fulfill the ministry of preaching the Gospel, which I have received from God our Lord." (Autobiography, [201]).
2. Creativity: The Method
For St. Claret, that unwavering commitment drove him to radical innovation. He saw the modern world not as a threat, but as a tremendous opportunity for God's grace. This is the heart of his Creative Evangelization.
Claret recognized the power of modern technology, especially the printing press. He realized "Not everyone wishes to or is able to hear the Word of God, but everyone can read or listen to the reading of a good book." (Autobiography, [310]). He became known as the Apostle of the Press, using his own earnings to print millions of small, affordable books and leaflets ([330], [476]), knowing this was the most effective way to multiply his voice. He even used the technical drawing skills from his youth in Barcelona ([56]) to create appealing holy cards and prints for his catechisms.
This Creativity is the great commonality he shares with St. John Paul II. Just as Claret used the printed word to reach the ordinary person, St. John Paul II used global travel and modern media to fulfill Isaiah's vision—delivering the Gospel of peace to the very ends of the earth.
3. Care: The Fruit
Finally, zeal must always be expressed as Care. This flows directly from the command Christ gave to St. Peter in today's Gospel: Feed my lambs, tend my sheep (John 21).
Claret’s care went beyond spiritual counsel; it was holistic. When he was Archbishop of Cuba, he saw that the poor needed more than just sermons to be upright citizens. Using his personal savings, he founded credit unions and established a Model Ranch to give poor youth an education, a trade, and savings—so they could earn their livelihood and dignity ([563], [569]). For Claret, and for us, the New Evangelization must always include the 'care' of social justice and human development.
The Challenge Today
My brothers and sisters, what does this legacy mean for us here in Quezon City in 2025?
If St. Anthony Mary Claret were here today, he would certainly be an apostle of the digital age! He would not just print leaflets; he would be mastering social media, launching podcasts, and leading vibrant online ministries. He would use the newest means—from WhatsApp to TikTok—to spread the Good News!
Let us, as the spiritual children of St. Anthony Mary Claret and the flock of Christ, renew our Commitment to righteousness, unlock our Creativity to be messengers in our digital spaces, and live with Care for all our neighbors, especially those in need.
May the Immaculate Heart of Mary guide us and give us the zeal of her faithful servant, St. Anthony Mary Claret. Amen.
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