Perhaps we would never have heard of Anthony if he hadn’t gone to an ordination of Dominicans and Franciscans in 1222. Now, like Francis, he had his first choice-a life of seclusion and contemplation in a hermitage near Montepaolo. “Instruct me in the Franciscan life,” he asked, not mentioning his prior theological training. Since the young man was from “out of town,” he received no assignment at the meeting, so he asked to go with a provincial superior from northern Italy. History does not reveal any meeting between Francis and Anthony. Still ailing, he wanted to attend the great Pentecost Chapter of Mats (so called because the 3,000 friars could not be housed and slept on mats). The friars at nearby Messina, though they didn’t know him, welcomed him and began nursing him back to health. Months later he arrived on the east coast of Sicily. His ship ran into storms and high winds and was blown east across the Mediterranean. He became seriously ill, and after several months realized he had to go home. But, as often happens, the gift he wanted to give was not the gift that was to be asked of him. True to their promise, the Franciscans allowed Anthony to go to Morocco, to be a witness for Christ, and a martyr as well. He went to the little friary in Coimbra and said, “Brother, I would gladly put on the habit of your Order if you would promise to send me as soon as possible to the land of the Saracens, that I may gain the crown of the holy martyrs.” After some challenges from the prior of the Augustinians, he was allowed to leave that priory and receive the Franciscan habit, taking the name Anthony. He was overjoyed and inspired to a momentous decision. Now, in the presence of the queen and a huge crowd, their remains were carried in solemn procession to Fernando’s monastery. They had preached in the mosque in Seville, almost being martyred at the outset, but the sultan allowed them to pass on to Morocco, where, after continuing to preach Christ despite repeated warnings, they were tortured and beheaded. The life of the young priest took a crucial turn when the bodies of the first five Franciscan martyrs were returned from Morocco. Fernando was probably ordained a priest during this time. There he began nine years of intense study, learning the Augustinian theology that he would later combine with the Franciscan vision. Monastery life was hardly peaceful for young Fernando, nor conducive to prayer and study, as his old friends came to visit frequently and engaged in vehement political discussions.Īfter two years he was sent to Coimbra. His parents, Martin and Mary Bulhom, apparently belonged to one of the prominent families of the city.Īt the age of 15 he entered the religious order of St. Francis) in Lisbon, Portugal and given the name of Fernando at Baptism. Anthony was born in 1195 (13 years after St. But let’s turn to the known facts about him. His intercessory powers before our God are awesome. St Anthony is beloved throughout the world and is responsive to all people and all needs. Anthony of Padua’s life is what every Christian’s life is meant to be a steady courage to face the ups and downs of life, the call to love and forgive, to be concerned for the needs of others, to deal with crisis great and small, and to have our feet solidly on the ground of total trusting love and dependence on God. Anthony Bread in thanksgiving to God for blessings received through the prayers of St. He’s typically portrayed holding the child Jesus-or a lily-or a book-or all three-in his arms. Saint Anthony of Padua, patron saint of lost and stolen articles, was a powerful Franciscan preacher and teacher. Anthony of Padua is one of the Catholic Church’s most popular saints.
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