Feast of Saint Anthony
June 13th
Few are the saints more beloved and invoked than Saint Anthony of Padua. A Franciscan of the 12th century, many of his achievements have been forgotten because of his reputation as a saint who has the special ability to help find things which have been lost. Despite the humility that made him sweep each day the floor of the monastery and slow to speak for himself, he was an eloquent and stern preacher against error, so much so that he was known as the “hammer of heretics.” He could speak many languages, and evidently all his sermons were not of the fiery kind, for it is said that even the fishes listened to him with delight.
In statues we see him holding the Infant Jesus because of a vision he had of the Child. His devotion had much to do with making him the helpful, kindly saint he is to the world today. Lighted taper candles are always to be found burning before his statue and altar in churches.
He is reputed able to find anything, from money and papers and jewelry to lost children. From lost gloves to lost love. “Dear Saint Anthony, please come round…something is lost and must be found.”
