St. Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal, and became an Augustinian
Canon in the Monastery of San Vicente as a young man. While studying Scripture,
he had a chance of meeting with two Franciscan friars who inspired him to enter
the Order of Friars Minor in
1220. Recognizing
Anthony’s intellectual gifts, Saint Francis of Assisi himself appointed Anthony
to teach theology to the friars and he is credited with the beginnings of the
intellectual tradition in the Franciscan Order. Anthony was
a beloved preacher and travelled
through northern Italy and southern France. He returned to Italy in 1227 and
eventually settled in Padua. St. Anthony
died on June 13th, 1231 at Arcella, a suburb of Padua. There he received
the last rites and died. He was only 36. Saint Anthony was canonized in 1232 by
Pope Gregory IX and declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII in 1946.
He holds the record for the second fastest canonization in history: he was
declared a saint 352 days after his death. He is one of the
most beloved saints in the Church is honored as a particular patron of the poor. For centuries, Christians have
called upon Saint Anthony’s help to find lost objects. This tradition goes back
to early accounts of the life of Saint Anthony, who helped discover the
whereabouts of a stolen psalter. A
huge Basilica was built in 1263 in his honor in Padova Italy, enlarged over the
decades, and which is visited by many pilgrims all year round. These are two quotes from St. Anthony:
‘May
your love grow in knowledge and understanding so that you may know how to
discern not only between good and evil, but also to distinguish between what is
good and what is even better.’
‘Truly
honest people possess a harmonious and pleasant demeanor; nothing reproachable
can be found in their actions, nothing inappropriate in their words, nothing
indecent in their manner. Being spontaneous and respectful, their behavior wins
the admiration and goodwill of all.’
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