Saint Anthony of Padua , our Patron

Doctor of the Church b.1195 d.1231

Feast Day: June 13

Fernando de Bulhões was born into a wealthy family who wanted him to be a great nobleman, but for the sake of Christ he became a poor Franciscan Priest and scholar. When the remains of St. Berard and his companions, the first Franciscan martyrs, were brought to be buried in his church, Fernando meditated on the heroism of these Franciscans, and he longed to embrace their simple lifestyle. He obtained permission from his superiors to join the Franciscan order. When he joined the Order of Friars Minor he took the new name of Anthony, in honour of Saint Anthony the Great, to whom the Franciscan hermitage where he was living was dedicated.

 

Shortly afterward, Anthony set off with another friar to Morocco to evangelize. They set sail for Portugal but were blown off course and shipwrecked at Sicily, where he joined some other brothers who were going to Portiuncula. Anthony lived in a cave at San Paolo leaving only to attend Mass and sweep the nearby monastery.

 

One day when a scheduled speaker failed to appear, the brothers pressed him into speaking. He impressed them so much that he was thereafter constantly travelling, evangelizing, preaching, and teaching theology throughout Northern Italy and Southern France, especially where heresy was strong. A gifted speaker, he attracted crowds everywhere he went, speaking in multiple tongues; legend says that even the fish loved to  listen.

 

St. Anthony of Padua is often prayed to for his intercession by seekers of lost articles, which is one of the many patronages to which he is attributed.

 

 Prayer to Saint Anthony

Oh, St. Anthony, you used your gifts

of intelligence and speech

to tell people about God

and to defend the powerless

in the face of injustice.

Today I pray for myself

and for my family and friends.

Help me play my part

in building the Reign of God,

where justice and peace prevail.

Thank you St. Anthony

for your good example.            

 

Amen