Saint Anthony of Padua

August 15, 1191 — June 13, 1231

“Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak.”

St Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal, and was baptized Fernando. His father was the son of a knight at the court of King Alfonso II. When Anthony was quite young, he joined the Augustinian Canons in Lisbon and was later stationed in Coimbra. He received a fine educational foundation which he used to further his own private study. He was ordained in about 1220.

Anthony’s introduction to the Franciscans began when he met a group of friars who were bound for Morocco to evangelize the people there. Hoping to suffer martyrdom, Anthony joined them but his desire was not to be fulfilled. He became ill in Morocco and was put on a ship bound for Portugal where he was to recuperate. During the journey his ship was blown off course and Anthony landed in Italy, There the Franciscan Provincial accepted him, and he spent his time praying and working in the kitchen.

 When a special preacher failed to appear at an ordination Anthony was attending, Anthony was asked to substitute. His extemporaneous sermon took everyone by surprise and from that moment, he was considered the great preacher of the Franciscans. In 1227, he went to Padua and preached most successfully throughout northern Italy. His sermons were eloquent and persuasive, influencing many fallen-away Catholics to return to the faith. 

Anthony died in 1231, and even before he was buried, there were reports of many miracles attributed to him. Anthony was canonized on May 30, 1232, and his feast day is June 13, the anniversary of his death. He is the saint we pray to as the finder of lost articles.

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