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Saint of the Day St. Catholic Online Shopping St. Information Learn about Catholic world. Services Products and services we offer. Education Learn the Catholic way. Socials Connect with us online. We ask you, humbly, to help. Hi readers, it seems you use Catholic Online a lot; that's great! There has GOT to be a better biography of my patron saint out there than this book. It's a late nineteenth century text filled with the sentimentality and hyperbole characteristic of the period, and it presents St. Anthony in a stereotypical way that drives me nuts.
You'll know what I mean if you've ever seen a picture or a holy card of St. Anthony, showing a skinny guy who looks about fifteen with the face of a baby and a sickeningly-sweet expression in his large and limpid eyes. Maybe that kin There has GOT to be a better biography of my patron saint out there than this book. Maybe that kind of portrayal of a saint inspires some, but not me. I, shamefully, never took much interest in my patron saint, and I now realize that the reason for my disinterest is the effeminate way in which he has been portrayed. I refuse to believe he was actually like that!
The saints were real people, more real than we are, in a sense, because they were more perfect, and hence possessed more fullness of being. They were not sentimental. They weren't the way they are shown on holy cards, with their arms carefully folded and their eyes lifted demurely to heaven. They were dynamic forces, with strong personalities, even the introverts among them. They were more in tune with higher reality than we sinners are — they couldn't be sentimental. It is a lack of moderation.
It is focusing on feelings more than on the reality that gives rise to those feelings. The saints possessed that reality. They didn't need to over-indulge in maudlin feelings. For my last birthday my mom bought be a picture of St. Anthony that shows a version of the saint I had never seen before.
It portrays a middle-aged man with a mature face, smiling at the Christ Child, whom he is not cuddling but holding naturally as the Child extends his hand in blessing. This saint Anthony does not have the doe-eyed countenance of other versions, but an adult face wearing an expression filled with personality and good humor. I can imagine this man deciding to give a sermon to fish because the heretics wouldn't listen to him. Suddenly, I have become very interested in my patron saint.
I want to know everything I can about him.
Saint Anthony of Padua
Unfortunately, this book is not a good start. It keeps talking about St. Anthony as "singularly attractive to the eye" and possessing a voice "the beauty of which has often been commented upon" — I feel certain the author had a holy card in front of him as he wrote. Worse, he takes liberties with history. For instance, describing the young St. Anthony's attendance at the fourth Franciscan general chapter, the author declares: Yet not one eye was turned upon him in kindness or in curiosity; not one word was spoken to him: I'm sure he passed the time of day with other unimportant friars.
See what I mean by hyperbole? It seems to me that the author takes the fact that St. Anthony is not mentioned in the history of this general chapter, and instead of realizing that it is perfectly natural for an unknown twenty-six year old friar to fail to be singled out future saint or no , he has to make an event out of it. Isn't it terrible that no one noticed this "ravished" and "trembling" and "faint" young man! I may only have a bachelor's in history, but I'm rather sensitive to historical glibness.
I wish I had a historical examination of St. There's got to be something out there better than this book. If anyone has a suggestion, please leave a comment. Sep 29, Ken rated it it was amazing. All I can say here is WOW! The entire route of the procession was strewn with flowers, and astound- ing miracles took place: Scarcely had the tomb been sealed when it became the object of many pilgrimages — the scene of multiplied wonders, so that the bishop solicited the Holy See to bestow the honors of canonization upon Anthony.
The pro- cess was begun, and completed in about six months. By an exception unusual in the history of the Church, tho serv- ant of God was solemnly canonized less than one year after his death by Pope Gregory IX, on May 30, The Pontiff intoned the Te Deum, then the antiphon, O Doctor optime, thus pub- licly saluting the eminent doctor, the champion of the Incarnate Word, the defender of the Real Presence, the apos- tle of Mary's prerogatives, the wonder- worker and saint.
Both parents of St. Anthony were present at the ceremonies of his canoni- zation — a singular instance in the history of saints. Happy mother, who could count her son among her protec- tors in heaven, and behold all the 42 people render him such honor! Happy father, so visibly blest by God! Sick persons who merely touched the coffin were instantly healed; also many who, prevented by the crowd, could not enter the church.
Prayer to Saint Anthony the Wonder-Worker - Prayers - Catholic Online
The blind received their sight, the dumb recovered their speech and the lame were cured of their infirmities. Anthony was not sat- isfied with curing bodily ailments; sometimes when guilt-laden sinners asked to be cured of physical ills, he let them wait until they had made their peace with God, and then cured them instantly. Soon the crowds of penitents became so great that the Friars alone were not able to hear all the confessions. Thus, indeed, was "his tomb made glorious. Anthony Immediately after the blessed death of St. Anthony, throngs of pilgrims be- sieged his tomb in St.
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Mary's Church, from which streams of grace and count- less favors seemed to flow. Soon Padua 43 and the whole of northern Italy wel- comed the plan proposed by their bishop to build a more worthy church in honor of the saint. The invasion of the bloodthirsty Etzel and his troops in , however, delayed the progress of the new basilica considerably.
After the invaders had been driven out in , the people labored with renewed zeal, so that in the body of the saint could be translated to its new resting place. Bonaventure, the minister-gen- eral of the Friars Minor, was present at the translation of the body. On open- ing the coffin it was found that, though the body had crumbled to dust, the tongue was intact and retained its nat- ural fresh color.
Moved by the sight of this miracle, St. Now it is evident how highly thou wert esteemed by God! In the left arm of the Cross was the special chapel of Saint 44 Anthony in which his precious relics were venerated. But this simple chapel did not long satisfy the devotion and taste of the Paduans. Therefore they built for him a gorgeous chapel, to which in the venerated remains were carried in a silver casket, amid great pomp and rejoicing.
This is the first shrine in honor of St. Anthony, who has since become the saint of the whole world. To know him means to love him. He seems to have unlimited access to the treasures of God's grace and dispenses them to all who are in spiritual or temporal need. A traveling journalist made these remarks: The walls of the interior are decorated with bas-reliefs sculptured in marble, repre- senting, in more than a hundred pic- tures, the principal events of the saint's life.
These figures are genuine works of art. Anthony 46 time it was rebuilt. As it now stands, the edifice measures feet in length and feet in the transept. Nine cupolas surmount the basilica, of which the largest is feet high and feet in circumference. The basilica embodies not less than twenty-one small chapels and altars. By far the most beautiful parts of the church are the chapels in the transept and that of St.
The main altar and the altar in St. Anthony's chapel are adorned with rare gems and jewels. The basilica of St. Anthony is a house of prayer, a sanctuary of grace, where all who seek aid find it. The people love St. Everywhere churches and shrines are dedicated to him; there is scarcely a church or chapel throughout the world without a statue or picture of the saint, or a Catholic home without his image. The seven hundredth anniversary of St. Anthony's death was commemo- rated by a Jubilee year extending from his feastday June 13, , to June, , the anniversary of his canoniza- tion, in the celebration of which the en- 47 tire Catholic world was invited to parti- cipate.
Countless pilgrims visited his tomb in the magnificent basilica of Padua to pay honor to this seraphic apostle of charity, and his numberless shrines throughout the world were thronged with fervent clients, giving witness that today, more than ever, St. Anthony is "the saint of the whole world. Anthony might assume a more spiritual nature and become less material and self-seek- ing than it had been hitherto.
He wished his spiritual children not only to seek relief in their necessities, but also to imitate him in the practice of Christian virtue, especially in his fer- vent practice of the two great com- 48 mandments — the love of God and the Jove of neighbor. Could the blessed tongue of the saint, still preserved incor- rupt, give utterance to the desires of his heart, this would doubtless also be his message to our age, grown so cold in the practice of charity.
A Doctor of the Church After reading of the glories of St. Anthony, it would seem that nothing more could be added to the luster of his name. Yet in the early part of , the Sacred Congregation of Rites conferred on him a new honor by declaring him a "Doctor of the Church. Anthony is the 29th saint to be so honored. Though only so recently conferred on the saint, his eminent worthiness to receive this title was already recognized by Pope Gregory IX, who, as mentioned, in the canonization process in , saluted him with the words: All his clients rejoice in this new recognition of the merits of their beloved saint, whose learning has brought glory to the Church and salva- tion to souls.
Thy suppliant people, through the prayer Of Thy blest saint forgive. For his dear sake Thy wrath forbear, And bid our spirits live. All objects of our vain desire, All earthly joys and gains, To him were but as filthy mire, And now with Thee he reigns. Thee, Jesus, his all-gracious Lord, Confessing to the last, He trod beneath him Satan's fraud, And stood forever fast. The Lord guided the just in right paths. And showed him the kingdom of God. May her children, with the constant help of spiritual powers, become worthy to enjoy everlasting bliss: In many Franciscan churches, de- votions in honor of St.
Anthony are held on this day, followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. A Novena of Tuesdays in honor of St. Anthony is made in the following manner: On nine successive Tuesdays a visit is made to a church, where prayers are offered to the saint for one's needs. If one cannot visit a church, the devotion is performed at home, if possible before a picture or statue of St. Anthony, and the novena may be con- cluded by going to confession and receiving Koly Communion. This devotion has been frequently re- warded in a striking manner.
It is a laud- able custom to make, at the beginning of a novena, a firm resolution to practice dili- gently one or other of the following virtues in which St. Thirteen Tuesdays or Sundays in Honor of St. Anthony The faithful who spend some time in de- vout meditation or prayers, or who perform some other acts of piety in honor of Saint Anthony of Padua, on Tuesday or Sunday of any week, with the intention of so doing for thirteen Tuesdays or Sundays without inter- ruption, may gain: A plenary indulgence on the usual conditions "Raccolta," Many persons make the "Thirteen Tuesdays" or Sundays immediately preceding the feast of St.
Anthony's Bread for the Poor One of the greatest delights of St. An- thony while still on earth was to distribute bread to the poor. Anthony has frequently taken the form of promising and giving alms to the poor in his name. Countless favors have been received after such promises.
The alms may be given to any charity one chooses. To you, who were deemed worthy to hold in your arms the Infant Jesus, who chose to be born poor; to you, full of confi- dence, we have recourse, asking that you pray the good Jesus to have compassion on us in our great tribulations. Oh, obtain for us the favor which we humbly implore. If you obtain it for us, 0 glorious St. Anthony, we will offer you an alms for bread for the poor, whom you loved so greatly on earth. Thanksgiving 0 Glorious worker of miracles, father of the poor, who, wondrously gifted with a heart full of compassion for the miseries of the unfortunate, by a miracle laid open the heart of a miser steeped in avarice.
You who offered our prayers to Our Lord and obtained a hearing, accept as a proof of our gratitude the alms we lay at your feet for the relief of those in misfortune. May it turn to the benefit of ourselves and of the 54 suffering. Hasten with your usual kindness to help us in our temporal necessities, and still more to provide for our spiritual needs, now and at the hour of our death. Novena To make a novena in honor of Saint Anthony, one may say any prayer or per- form any act of devotion, such as a visit to a church, but the prayer or good work should be offered on nine consecutive days.
When making a novena, it is well also to promise a charitable offering for the poor. In no other way can so many blessings be obtained as by performing works of mercy. Any of the following prayers may be used for a novena. Anthony We salute you, 0 glorious favorite of God, and bow our guilty heads before you in humble reverence, while we raise our sad hearts full of hope toward heaven and you: Give us, then, what we desire, and we will proclaim your power and glorify Him who so blessed you. Efficacious Prayer Great St.
Anthony, I congratulate you on all the prerogatives with which God has favored you beyond all His saints. By your powerful intercession death is disarmed, and by your light, error is dissipated. They whom malice strives to crush receive by your assistance that solace so much desired; the lepers, the sick and the lame obtain complete health by your power; storms and tempests are stilled at your command, the captive's chains are broken by your inter- vention. Through your help, lost articles are found. All who invoke you with confi- dence are freed from the perils which threaten them; in a word, there is no diffi- culty over which your power and bounty do not extend.
Anthony, powerful intercessor, by all these graces which heaven has given you, I supplicate you to take paternal care of my soul and my body, of my affairs and of my 56 whole life, being assured that there is nothing in the world that can injure me so long as I am under the protection of such a patron and protector. Present my needs and desires to the Father of mercies, to the God of every consolation, that by your merits He may deign to strengthen me in His service, console me in afflictions, deliver me from evils, or at least give me strength to bear them for my greater sanctification.
I ask these graces for myself and for those who are in the same dangers. Anthony For private use Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, graciously hear us. Anthony, faithful follower of Christ, St. Anthony, most zealous apostle, St. Anthony, martyr in desire, St. Anthony, teacher of true wisdom, St. Anthony, harbinger of grace, St. Anthony, converter of sinners, St. Anthony, extirpator of vices, St. Anthony, guide of the erring, St. Anthony, terror of the demons, St.
Anthony, safety of the perishing, St. Anthony, consoler of the afflicted, St. Anthony, helper of the unfortunate, St. Anthony, father of the poor, St. Anthony, refuge of the sick, St. Anthony, lily of virginity, St. Anthony, model of all virtues, St. Anthony, performer of miracles, St. Anthony, help of all who invoke you, Be merciful, Spare us, 0 Lord. Be merciful, Graciously hear us, 0 Lord. From all evil,t From all sin, From all dangers of soul and body, From all snares of the devil, From pestilence, famine and war, From eternal death, Through the merits of St.
Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Graciously hear us, 0 Lord! Lamb of God, who takest away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us! Christ, graciously hear us! Pray for us, St. Through Christ our Lord. Prayer to Find a Lost Article 0 perfect imitator of Jesus, who received the special privilege of restoring lost things, I ask of you that I may find.
At least I ask quiet of mind and peace of con- science, the loss of which has afflicted me more than my material loss. To these fa- vors add another, which is to keep me faith- ful in the possession of the true goods: Our Father and Hail Mary five times. Anthony, glorious by rea- son of the fame of your miracles, who had the happiness of receiving in your arms our blessed Lord under the guise of a little child,obtain for me of His bounty this favor which I desire with all my heart.
You who were so gracious to poor sinners, regard not the lack of merit on the part of him who calls upon you, but consider the glory of God, which will be exalted once more through you, to the salvation of my soul and the granting of the petition which I now make with such ardent yearning. As a pledge of my gratitude, I beg you to accept my promise to live more agreeably to the teachings of the Gospel, and to be de- voted to the service of the poor whom you always loved so much; bless this my resolu- tion and obtain for me the grace to be faith- ful thereto even until death.
An indulgence of days, once a day. A plenary indulgence once a month, on the usual conditions, for the daily recitation of this prayer. Anthony One of the most efficacious prayers to St. Anthony is the "Responsory. Bonaventure who, filled with admiration for the great saint, condensed into a few words the countless graces which St. Anthony grants to his pious clients. Ever since his time, it has been chanted at the saint's tomb at Padua.
Devout pilgrims often ask the Friars to recite it for a special intention.
It is recommended in any neces- sity. If, then, thou seekest miracles, Death, error, all calamities, The leprosy and demons flee, The sick, by him made whole, arise.
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The sea withdraws and fetters break, And withered limbs he doth restore, While treasures lost are found again, When young or old his help implore. All dangers vanish from our path, Our direst needs do quickly flee; Let those who know repeat the theme: Let Paduans praise St. The sea withdraws, etc. Pray for us, 0 blessed Anthony, R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. A plenary indulgence once a month, on the usual conditions, if this responsory, together with its versicle and prayer, be said daily.
Anthony 55 Efficacious Prayer 56 Litany of St. Benedict, the Beloved of God St. Anthony, the Wonder-Worker St. Nicholas de Flue Good St.