Today’s saint studied medicine but instead of caring for the physical needs of suffering humanity, he was drawn by God to care for their spiritual needs. He taught catechism of children and began studying for the priesthood. After his ordination he and two of his friends founded a new congregation, the Clerks Regular of St. Paul, also known as the Barnabites after one of St. Paul’s closest co-workers. Their goal was to reform society by means of preaching, penance, and parish missions. On the fifth centenary of his birth, Pope John Paul II spoke to the Barnabites and encouraged them to follow the example and advice of their founder, striving to be great, not small saints. May we share that desire as we offer ourselves today for the salvation of souls and the Holy Father’s intentions. The following is from Pope John Paul’s message to the Barnabites in 2002.

St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria … brought countless souls to the “knowledge of the love of Jesus Christ….” He constantly pointed out the goal of holiness, not only to his religious who had set out on the path of spiritual “reform” or “renewal,” but to all the faithful, whom he reminded of their call to become “not small … but great saints.” I am sure that reflection on his burning love for Jesus, “exalted on the Cross and concealed beneath the veils of the Eucharist,” and his unflagging zeal for souls will impel all to devote themselves with renewed enthusiasm to the human and Christian education of the young generations, who represent the future of the Church and of society as a whole. … Do not be afraid, dear brothers and sisters, to openly combat mediocrity, compromise and every kind of apathy, which the holy founder described as “a plague and the greatest enemy of the crucified Christ, which is so widespread in modern times.” May each one take pains to make fruitful the gifts he has received and to persevere in prayer and in works of love, keeping confidence in divine Providence alive in all circumstances.