Saint Antoine-Marie Claret

The film tells the story of Antonio Maria Claret , in early nineteenth century Spain until the overthrow of Queen Elizabeth II . A part in the live of Antonio Maria Claret, usually known as Padre Claret and founder of a religious order of the "Misioneros Hijos del Inmaculado Corazón de María" and the "Congregación de las Religiosas de María Inmaculada Misioneras Claretianas". Claretians are active as missionaries worldwide, in 70 countries on five continents. The number of Claretian priests and brothers is at more than 3,000. The Congregation has a particular devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and members have published extensively in Mariology. The history, both thought and intelligent is based on authentic facts that led Antonio Maria Claret, known as Father Claret, to action and a prosperous pastoral life, as archbishop of Cuba and confessor to Queen Isabel II. Claret was a teacher of the Christian life and of the relationship between faith and knowledge , convinced that Christians must bring essential values and commitment to building a world that is more just and mutually supportive . Claret (1807-1879) was a Spanish Catholic prelate and missionary who served as Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba and was the confessor of Isabella II of Spain. He founded the congregation of Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, commonly called the Claretians. In addition to the Claretians, which in the early 21st century had over 450 houses and 3100 members, with missions in five continents, Claret founded or drew up the rules of several communities of religious sisters. His zealous life and the wonders he wrought, both before and after his death, testified to his sanctity. Claret is the patron saint of weavers.

The film focuses his mission to preach in Spain and Cuba, describing his efforts , fights and evangelizing throughout his life, these early ideas , these first projects , education and social advancement , acquiring different rootedness and developments . The flick narrates faithfully his ambitions , dreams , aims , and activities , seed sown on good ground has borne much fruit . Depicting his fight against slavery and Cuban landowners, trying to effectively implement the Laws of the Indies. Antonio Reyes gives a good as well as agreeable interpretation as Claret , a tenacious and innovative priest who opens paths in the field of education and in the defense of the human rights. His acting is full of vitality and enthusiasm . And there is a long appearance of historical figures and writers who were related to Claret, among which we can include: Queen Isabel II: Alba Redondo , king Francisco de Asís: Daniel Gómez, Leopoldo O'Donnell: Scott Cleverdon, Narváez: César Diéguez, General de La Concha : Juan Alberto López, Padre Pedro Poveda: Raúl Escudero, Azorin: Carlos Cañas, Pío Baroja : Pablo Viña and brief appearance of Assumpta Serna -Pablo Moreno's usual actress- as Sor Helena Studier. The motion picture was compellingly written and directed by Pablo Moreno who also made other religious and though-provoking films, such as ¨Pablo De Tarso¨, ¨Alba¨, ¨Un Dios Prohibido¨, ¨Poveda¨ and his last one :¨Luz De Soledad¨ .

This biographical drama film is based on historical events , these are the following: Claret received an elementary education in his native village, and at the age of twelve became a weaver. At the age of eighteen, he went to Barcelona to specialize in his trade as a Jacquard loom programmer, and remained there until he was 20 years old. Meanwhile, he devoted his spare time to study and became proficient in Latin, French and engraving. Frightened that his love of programming was causing him to become obsessed and burned out, and recognizing a call to religious life, he left Barcelona. He wished to become a Carthusian monk but finally entered the diocesan seminary at Vic in 1829, and was ordained on June 13, 1835, on the feast of St. Anthony of Padua. He received a benefice in his native parish, where he continued to study theology until 1839; but as missionary work strongly appealed to him, he proceeded to Rome. There he entered the Jesuit novitiate but had to leave due to ill health. He then returned to Spain and exercised his pastoral ministry in Viladrau and Girona, attracting notice through his efforts on behalf of the poor. In an area despoiled by the Carlist civil war, he added the practice of rustic medicine to his other endeavors. Claret's life was threatened by anti-clerical enemies and he was sent to the Canary Islands. He established the Congregation of the Missionary Sons of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (The Claretians). Pope Pius IX, at the request of the Spanish crown (Queen-regnant Isabella II of Spain), appointed him Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, in 1849. He was consecrated at Vic in October 1850. The Santiago seminary was reorganized, clerical discipline strengthened, and over 9,000 marriages validated within the first two years of his arrival. He erected a hospital and numerous schools. In 1855, he founded the Religious of Mary Immaculate together with Maria Antonia Paris. The congregation was considered as the first women religious institute in Cuba. He also visited jails and hospitals, defended the oppressed and denounced racism. His work stirred up opposition and at Holguín his cheek was stabbed by a would-be assassin, who was associated with freemasonry. Claret obtained a commutation of the assailant's death sentence to a term in prison. In 1869 he went to Rome to prepare for the First Vatican Council. Owing to failing health he withdrew to Prada de Conflent in the French Pyrenees, where he was still harassed by his Spanish enemies; shortly afterwards he retired to the Cistercian abbey at Narbonne,, where he died, aged 62.