Saint Anthony of Padua

"Among all things that are lovable, there is one that is more lovable than the rest, and that most lovable of all things is life."
- Saint Anthony of Padua (1195- 1231)

Today is the feast day of Saint Anthony of Padua. Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1195. He had first joined the Augustinian Order, but then left it in 1221 in order to join the Franciscans. Anthony decided to join the Franciscans after he had heard about the deaths of the five Franciscan martyrs, who had given their lives for the Catholic faith in Morocco in 1220. Anthony hoped that he also would become a martyr by joining the Franciscans and preaching to the Moors, however, because of an illness he did not achieve that goal. He instead was sent to Italy and lived in a small hermitage where he spent most of his time praying, reading the Scriptures, and doing menial tasks. At an ordination where no one was prepared to speak, Anthony hesitantly accepted the task and amazed everyone. Anthony was an eloquent preacher, and preached in a way so that all could understand him, even the most ignorant. He helped convert many Albegensians in France as well. He is also known as the "Hammer of Heretics" because his great protection against the lies and deceits of the heretics was to utter the Holy Name of Mary. Furthermore, when Anthony found that he was preaching the Gospel of the Church to heretics who would not listen to him, he went out and preached to the fishes in order to ease his own heart and for the glory of God and the delight of the angels. Anthony led the friars in Italy for three years, and set up his headquarters in Padua, Italy. Anthony lived only ten years in the Franciscan Order, and died in 1231. He was canonized less than one year after his death. Anthony is often pictured with a book and the Infant Jesus, to whom He miraculously appeared, and is commonly referred to as the "finder of lost articles".  

Saint Anthony of Padua, pray for us!

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Quote From, Picture Of, And Information About Saint Anthony Taken From:

http://www.beliefnet.com/Quotes/Christian/S/St-Anthony-Of-Padua/Among-All-Things-That-Are-Lovable-There-Is-One-Th.aspx

http://www.ewtn.com/saintsholy/saints/A/stanthonyofpadua.asp

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=24

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saintofday/