St. Anthony of Padua

One of the Church’s most beloved saints, Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1095 and named Ferdinand by his parents. It is thought that he was a descendant of Godfrey de Bouillon, leader of the First Crusade. At age fifteen Anthony entered the Canons of St. Augustine near Lisbon, but soon asked to be moved because his relatives distracted his studies with frequent visits. At Coimbra, he was impressed by a group of Franciscan missionaries on their way to Morocco; all were martyred soon after they arrived at their mission. Inspired, Anthony joined the Franciscan order in 1221 and was sent to Morocco, but fell ill and had to sail for Italy. He became famed as preacher when asked to give a sermon at an ordination at which the prepared speaker had not shown up. Anthony was known for his gentleness, persuasiveness, and knowledge of Scripture. He worked to eliminate debtor’s prison and helped the poor. He reconciled enemies, converted heretics, and performed numerous miracles during his lifetime. He died on June 13, 1231 and was canonized the following year by Pope Gregory IX who had personally known him. St. Anthony is renowned as the finder of lost articles. He is the patron of travelers, the poor, expectant mothers, the elderly, and animals. He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1946. St. Anthony’s feast day is June 13.