Fear not! Today, we present St. Anthony of Padua, that wonderful, wonderful saint who is so good at discovering those precious items you might have lost or mislaid.
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Anthony, born Ferdinand, was born in Lisbon, Portugal, in the year 1195 A.D., to noble and wealthy parents. When he was fifteen he joined the Canon Regulars of Saint Augustine, where he studied sacred scripture, and applied himself fervently to the practice of piety.
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A few years later he was inspired by five Franciscan priests who were martyred in Morocco, and resolved to join the Franciscan Order and shed his own blood for God. At twenty-five years of age he became a Franciscan friar, and took the name of Anthony.
Due to illness, Anthony found himself unable to travel to Morocco. Instead, by God's Will, he made his way through Sicily and Assisi, and from thence to Forli, Romagna. For nine months Anthony remained in Forli, and it was there his great talent for preaching became known, for in an unexpected turn of events he was nominated to preach to the people, and in doing so was discovered to have incredible eloquence that inspired all who heard him.
St. Francis of Assisi gave Anthony leave to preach throughout all of Italy, which he did with such energy and power he became known as the Hammer of the Heretics. So great were the crowds that came to see him speak he frequently had to deliver his discourses in the open air.
Anthony applied himself so relentlessly to this labour of love that he died at quite a young age on June 13th, 1231. He was thirty-six years old.
He was canonized within the year by Pope Gregory IX.
He is known as a Doctor of the Church.
"The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ."
"The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ."
~ St. Anthony of Padua
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Miracles of Saint Anthony:
Patron Saint:
Of Lost things
Of Barren Women
Of Amputees
Against Shipwrecks
Against Starvation
Of Boatman
Of the Elderly
Of Expectant Mothers
Of Fishermen
Of Harvests
Of Horses
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