Who is St. Anthony?

The patron saint of lost and stolen possessions, St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) was a Franciscan friar known for his eloquent preaching, profound knowledge of Scripture and unwavering commitment to help the poor and the sick.  He is frequently depicted holding a book or the Bible, the Christ Child or a lily. 

St. Anthony was born Fernando Martins de Bulhões on Aug. 15, 1195, to a wealthy noble family in Lisbon, Portugal. At age 15, he entered the community of Canons Regular at the Abbey of St. Vincent against his family’s wishes. Seeing his scholastic potential, the Canons sent him to the Abbey of the Holy Cross in Coimbra, Portugal’s former capital, for nine years of intense theological studies in the Augustinian tradition. He was ordained to the priesthood and appointed the abbey’s guest master. 

Often depicted holding the Christ Child, St. Anthony wanted to join the Franciscans so that he could travel to Morocco to preach. (Photo courtesy of Jan Van Bizar)

Anthony’s altered path  

In 1219, Fernando encountered five Franciscan friars who were enroute to Morocco to preach the faith to the Muslim community. Less than a year later, news arrived that they had become the first martyrs of the Franciscan Order. As their bodies were processed through Coimbra, Fernando was so inspired by their witness that he went to a nearby hermitage and asked to join the Franciscans, saying:  

“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.” 

He took the name Anthony after the patron of their hermitage, St. Anthony of Egypt, and hoped to become a missionary. He went to Morocco but fell seriously ill after a few months and tried to make his way home. Storms diverted his ship to Sicily, where the friars of Messina welcomed him and began nursing him back to health.  He was recovered enough to attend the Order’s General Chapter of 1221 in Assisi, also known as the Pentecost Chapter of Mats (because there was not enough housing for the 3,000 friars, they were required to sleep on mats). 

After the Chapter, Anthony approached the Provincial Minister (the leader) of the province in Northern Italy and asked that he be instructed in the Franciscan life. He did not mention his prior theological education and so was assigned to work in the kitchen of the rural hospice of San Paolo near Forlì in Northern Italy. 

St. Anthony was selected to deliver a “simple” sermon that turned out to be a pivotal moment in his ministry with the friars. (Photo courtesy of the Province of Our Lady of Guadalupe)

What was St. Anthony known for?  

In a moment of truth that would shape his destiny, a young man once drawn to the solitude of prayer climbed to prominence with an extraordinary homily delivered during an ordination attended by Dominicans and Franciscans in 1222.  

When no one answered the provincial's request for a sermon, Anthony was chosen. Unknown to them, he was well-versed in Augustine and Franciscan philosophy. His holiness and wisdom were clear to all there and so began a lifetime of preaching.  

St. Francis appreciated how Anthony's actions aligned with his words, unlike many preachers of the time whose pride in their knowledge led to them abandoning a life of poverty. St. Anthony embodies the importance of persistence in seeking truth and justice.  

On the Commission for the Franciscan Intellectual Tradition’s website, Franciscan historian Br. Dominic Monti, OFM, describes Anthony’s preaching: 

“Anthony’s preaching emphasized the connection between conversion to the Gospel and working for justice in society. For example, he persuaded the government of Padua to come to the aid of people in financial difficulty: instead of being imprisoned for debt, a person could instead declare bankruptcy and pick up their life again. In such ways, Anthony became beloved by the poor for drawing the attention of society to their plight.” 

St. Anthony’s teaching 

He also taught theological studies to friars pursuing ordination. St. Francis trusted Anthony to educate the younger friars because he knew that St. Anthony would not let his knowledge make him prideful. Throughout his life, Anthony was an example of Franciscan poverty and humility. 

In addition to teaching and preaching, Anthony also served the Franciscan Order in various roles, including Provincial Minister of the friars in Northern Italy, where he made his home in Padua, the city he is now most closely associated with. 

St. Anthony died on June 13, 1231, at age 35 and was buried in the small church of Santa Maria Mater Domini. He was canonized the next year by Pope Gregory IX, one of the fastest canonization processes in history, and his body was eventually moved to the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua, completed in 1310. 

Did you know?  

St. Anthony is also the patron saint of:  

For sickness  

“Kind Saint Anthony, I lay this sickness at your feet. Pray for divine healing, for restored strength and for comfort in pain. May the healing touch of Jesus reach every part of what’s broken. Amen.”  

For a miracle  

“O glorious Saint Anthony, you are known as the Wonderworker, the patron of those in need and the finder of lost things. With confidence in your unfailing intercession, I come to you with a heart full of hope, seeking an urgent miracle in my life. Hear my plea and present it before the Lord with your fervent prayers. (Mention your request here.) Through your love for the Christ Child and your unwavering trust in God’s providence, I trust that my petition will be granted according to His holy will. Saint Anthony, I beg you to assist me in my hour of need. Let your compassionate heart move the heavens to bring swift resolution to my struggles. Amen.”  

Did you know?  

A novice once stole a psalms book from Anthony as he left the Order. Anthony prayed for its return, and the man returned his property – and rejoined the Franciscans. Thus, Anthony became the finder of lost things.