Saint Anthony of Padua​

Anthony was born in 1195 in Lisbon, Portugal, although the Italian city of Padua claims him as its own. At 15, he joined the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine. For eight years he studied intensely, becoming an accomplished biblical scholar. His contact with some Franciscans inspired him to join the Franciscans. He was sent by Francis to preach and to teach his fellow friars throughout northern Italy, first in Bologna and then in Padua. His reputation drew enormous crowds, and the power of his words converted them. According to a miracle attributed to him, one day Anthony went to Rimini where there were a lot of heretics. He started to preach, but they did not want to listen to him, and they even mocked him. In a dramatic gesture, Anthony went to the seashore, saying, “Because you show yourself unworthy of God’s word, behold, I turn to the fishes so that your unbelief may be shown up more clearly”. As he spoke of God’s care for those creatures that live in the waters, a shoal of fish swam near to the bank, partly thrusting themselves out of the water and appearing to listen carefully. At the end of his sermon, the Saint blessed them and they swam away. Ill and exhausted, he died at the age of 36; so beloved and revered, he was canonized within the year. His aid is invoked to help find lost objects.

Reflection for the Day

Let your word be ‘Yes, Yes’ or ‘No, No’, anything more than

this comes from the evil one.” Matthew 5: 37

St. Anthony, Pray for us.