 |
|
St.
Anthony of Padua,
Doctor of the Church
"Dear St. Anthony, please come 'round. Something's
lost and can't be found".
born 1195 died 1231, Feastday:
June 13 Patron of the Poor
St. Anthony was born in Portugal, although
most of his work was in Italy. He originally joined the Augustinian
order, but he became a Franciscan when he was 26. This was because
of the death of 5 Franciscan protomartyrs in Morocco, North Africa,
whose headless and mutilated bodies had been brought back for
burial. St. Anthony also wished to be a martyr, just like them.
He is called the "Hammer of Heretics" because of his
simple, and sometimes, miraculous manner of teaching the Catholic
faith. The secret to his success was simply to repeat the "Holy
Name of Mary" when speaking to heretics. St. Anthony often
attracted huge crowds, and was sensationally successful. One
day when he found he was preaching to heretics who would not
Listen, he went to preach to the fish, who Listened attentively,
not for their necessity, but for the glory of God. To another
heretic, St. Anthony had a mule (who had been starved for three
days) bow before the Blessed Sacrament, although food was also
placed near him. St. Anthony was miraculously visited by the
Infant Jesus, and is commonly referred to today as the "finder
of lost articles." His tongue is incorrupt, and is displayed
at the Vatican. He was only 36 when he died.
|
