SAINT ANTONY OF PADUA

PRIEST, AND DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH

(1231)

St. Antony was Fernando by birth. He was born of a Portuguese noble family. His parents entrusted his education to the clergy of Lisbon cathedral. At age fifteen, he joined an Augustinian monastery where he devoted himself to study and prayer, acquiring a superior knowledge of the Scriptures.

Before he reached thirty years old, some Franciscans who were martyred in Morocco, whom he knew personally, impressed him. When their relics arrived in town, he was moved by their glorious martyrdom and electrified by the prospect of dying for Christ, and imitate these brothers. He left his Augustinian order, and joined the Franciscans in 1221. Within few months, he was leaving for Morocco, eager to give up his life for Christ. While he was sailing he became seriously ill and was forced to return to Europe. A violent storm arose, ending him in Sicily, where he joined a group of Franciscans heading to Assisi to hear St. Francis preach. Then, he lived a simple devoted life, working at a Franciscan hermitage near Forli, washing dishes, and serving meals.

It did not take long for his spiritual light to shine. At a ceremony none of the Friars had come ready or capable to deliver the customary address. Antony, who was present, was told to come forward and speak whatever the Holy Spirit put into his mouth. Once he began to speak, the eloquence, fervor, and the deep learning he showed amazed all the audience. As a result, he was assigned by St. Francis himself to preach in various cities. Within few years, he was called “the hammer of the heretics”. In 1226, after the death of St. Francis, he was called back to Italy, commissioned to preaching and ‘to read sacred theology to the friars’ as directed by St. Francis.

St. Antony’s preaching was hailed at the papal court as a ‘jewel case of the Bible’, and he was commissioned to write ‘Sermons for Feast Days’. Wherever he preached, he attracted thousands of listeners who awaited him. He returned to Padua few months before his death. Many miracles were attributed to his prayers, and intercessions. He earned the reputation of wonder-worker, and a friend of the poor. Antony has been invoked as the finder of lost articles. It was said that a novice took his manuscript without permission, he prayed for its return. A frightening vision forced the novice to return it immediately.

St. Antony died on June 13,1231, at the age of thirty-six. He was buried in Padua. In 1981, his tomb was reopened, and the relics were scientifically examined. Parts of the relics were found incorrupt. In 1946, he was declared a Doctor of the Church.

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Page Written By  H. G. Hanna     ãCopyright  2001