Saint Michael Center - St. Anthony

ST. ANTHONY

ST. ANTHONY OF PADUA

Feast Day – June 13

Around 1195 in Lisbon, Portugal, a son was born to Maria and Martin Buloens. They named the baby Fernando. Better known to later ages as Anthony, he was destined to become on of the most popular saints of the Catholic Church.

Martin and Maria entrusted Fernando’s early education to the clergy of the Cathedral of Lisbon. At the age of fifteen, Fernando entered the order of St. Augustine.

Two years later, he met five Franciscan from Coimbra who were on their way to Morocco. These friars soon met martyrdom, and when their bones were returned to Lisbon and placed in the Augustinian Chapel, Fernando burned with the desire to die as a martyr, too. He was determined to join the Franciscans, and begged his superior for permission to do so. Reluctantly, the superior agreed, and in the spring of 1220, Fernando joyfully entered the Franciscans. It was then that he changed his name to Anthony, in honor of St. Anthony of the Desert.

Soon afterward Friar Anthony made another request. He volunteered to go to Morocco in place of the five martyrs. His request was granted. When Anthony reached Africa, he fell ill with a fever that did not leave him for an entire year. He was to be sent back to Portugal on the next ship. The ship, however, never reached Portugal. A violent storm came up and the ship landed on the coast of Sicily. Anthony, still ill and weak, joined his brothers in Italy for the First Chapter of the Franciscans, held in Assisi in 1221. Three thousand friars attended, including St. Francis. Anthony met Francis and from that meeting there remain two short notes from Francis Anthony. One is a blessing upon his work; the other is a command telling Anthony to teach the friars Scripture and theology. Friar Anthony then went to Forli where he taught and preached for a few years.

On March 19, 1222, several friars were ordained and it is believed Friar Anthony was one of them. The preacher scheduled to give the sermon failed to show. Fr. Anthony was told to give the sermon. Totally unprepared, Anthony knelt for the bishop’s blessing than began to speak. Scripture passages flooded his mind and his words fired those present with love for God and the priesthood. Everyone listened in awe. He was immediately appointed preacher for all Lombardy and teacher of the Franciscans.

He traveled all Italy. In 1224 he began preaching to the poor and people flocked to him by the thousands. But his health had not returned since his trip to Africa. Some historians think he had a combination of dropsy and asthma or hepatitis. His health made his traveling very painful and difficult.

Eventually, Father Anthony begged to be released of his duties so he could preach the Word of God full time.

Permission was granted and he went to Padua to preach. He was warmly welcomed and thousands came to hear the Word of God. He left Padua for awhile to try and regain his strength but when he knew his death was near the requested to return. However on his return he became too ill to travel and he and his companion stopped at the convent of the Poor Clares in Arcella. He was put in a chair to rest. He closed his eyes and his breathing became faint. Suddenly, he opened his eyes and said, “I see God!” Then he appeared to fall asleep. He gave his soul to the Lord on June 13, 1231.

Three months after his death, the city of Padua sent the Pope records of forty-five miracles performed through Fr. Anthony’s intercession.

-from the “Devotion to St. Anthony of Padua,” compiled by the Daughters of St. Paul, Pauline Books and Media

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St. Michael the Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle; be our safeguard against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray. And do you, O prince of the heavenly host, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and all the evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.

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