Saint Anthony of Padua

June 13 is the memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, priest and Doctor of the Church.

Saint Anthony was born on the Feast of the Assumption in Lisbon, Portugal on August 15, 1195. Born of a rich family, Saint Anthony's family decided he was to be educated. However, at the age of 15 he joined the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine at the Abbey of St. Vincent on the outskirts of Lisbon. After his ordination to the priesthood, Saint Anthony was put in charge of hospitality in his abbey. In that role, in 1219, Saint Anthony came into contact with five Franciscans who were traveling to Morrocco. He was strongly attracted to the simple Gospel lifestyle of the friars, and after meditating on the later martydom of those five friars, in 1220 he obtained permission from his superiors to transfer to the Friars Minor to devote himself to spreading the faith among African peoples.

Saint Anthony had his greatest success, however, preaching in France and Italy where he was known for his arresting and eloquent preaching.

Upon hearing of the preaching of Saint Anthony, Holy Father Saint Francis directed him to teach theology to the others of the order, saying:

To Brother Anthony, my bishop (i.e. teacher of sacred sciences), Brother Francis sends his greetings. It is my pleasure that thou teach theology to the brethren, provided, however, that as the Rule prescribes, the spirit of prayer and devotion may not be extinguished. Farewell. (1224)

He was the first member of this Order to teach theology to his brethren, and his sermons are notable for learning and gentleness.

Images of Saint Anthony often depict him holding the Infant Jesus. This is a reference to an appartion of the Infant Jesus to Saint Anthony. (French writers maintain that it happened at the Castle of Chateauneuf-la-Foret near Limoges, and Italian writers maintain that it happened at Camposanpiero near Padua.) St. Anthony, before going to bed for the night, was reading his Bible. Suddenly, the Infant Jesus appeared resting on the Bible and in the arms of St. Anthony. The Infant Jesus stroked St. Anthony’s face. It is said that here the Word of God appeared to the man who had so well preached His Word.

Saint Anthony became ill with dropsy in 1231 and died in the Poor Clare convent at Arcella on June 13, 1231, where he was staying on a return trip to Padua. It is said that upon his death, the children ran through the streets saying: "The holy Father is dead. Saint Anthony is dead." Many miracles were attributed to Saint Anthony during his life and after death.

On January 16, 1946, Saint Anthony was declared a Doctor of the Church. He is sometimes also referred to as an Evangelical Doctor.

Saint Anthony is usually invoked as the patron saint of lost things. He is known as the patron of lost things probably as a result of an incident where a novice carried off a valuable psalter St. Anthony was using. St. Anthony prayed very hard that the psalter would be found. After seeing an alarming apparition of St. Anthony, the novice returned the psalter. However, it is also suggested by many that Saint Anthony is, more importantly, the patron of lost souls — those who have fallen to mortal sin, have abandoned the Church and have grown apathetic to the practice of the Faith.

Litany of Saint Anthony

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.

God, the Father of Heaven,
have mercy on us.
God, the Son, Redeemer of the world . . .
God, the Holy Spirit . . .
Holy Trinity, one God . . .
Holy Mary . . .
Saint Anthony of Padua . . .
Saint Anthony, glory of the Friars Minor . . .
Saint Anthony, ark of the testament . . .
Saint Anthony, sanctuary of heavenly wisdom . . .
Saint Anthony, destroyer of worldly vanity . . .
Saint Anthony, conqueror of impurity . . .
Saint Anthony, example of humility . . .
Saint Anthony, lover of the Cross . . .
Saint Anthony, martyr of desire . . .
Saint Anthony, generator of charity . . .
Saint Anthony, zealous for justice . . .
Saint Anthony, terror of infidels . . .
Saint Anthony, model of perfection . . .
Saint Anthony, consoler of the afflicted . . .
Saint Anthony, restorer of lost things . . .
Saint Anthony, defender of innocence . . .
Saint Anthony, liberator of prisoners . . .
Saint Anthony, guide of pilgrims . . .
Saint Anthony, restorer of health . . .
Saint Anthony, performer of miracles . . .
Saint Anthony, restorer of speech to the mute . . .
Saint Anthony, restorer of hearing to the deaf . . .
Saint Anthony, restorer of sight to the blind . . .
Saint Anthony, disperser of devils . . .
Saint Anthony, reviver of the dead . . .
Saint Anthony, tamer of tyrants . . .

From the snares of the devil, Saint Anthony deliver us.
From thunder, lightning and storms, Saint Anthony deliver us.
From all evil of body and soul, Saint Anthony deliver us.

Through your intercession, Saint Anthony protect us.
Throughout the course of life, Saint Anthony protect us.

Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

V. Saint Anthony, pray for us.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

LET US PRAY:

O my God, may the pious commemoration of Saint Anthony, your Confessor and Proctor, give joy to your Church, that she may ever be strengthened with your spiritual assistance and merit to attain everlasting joy. Through Christ our Lord.

Amen.