June 13 | Saint Anthony of Padua

Born: August 15, 1195, Lisbon, Portugal

Died: June 13, 1231, Padua, Italy

Nationality: Portuguese

Vocation: priest, Franciscan friar

Attributes: holding the child Jesus, Franciscan habit and tonsure, mule

Patronage: finding lost items and people

Canonization: 1232, by Pope Gregory IX

I see my Lord.

St. Anthony was born Ferdinand Martins de Bulhões in Lisbon, Portugal. Though his father was an officer in the royal army, Ferdinand answered the call to religious life when he was only 15 and became an Augustinian. In his early years at a monastery in Coimbra, he was devoted to contemplative prayer, self-discipline, and knowing God by studying scripture and the writings of the Church Fathers. 

When Ferdinand was in his mid-20’s he heard the story of St. Berard, a Fransican friar, and a few of his companions who were martyred while preaching in Morocco. This inspired the young man to become a Franciscan missionary. It was then when Ferdinand adopted the name Anthony (meaning “priceless one” or “highly praiseworthy”), in honor of St. Anthony the Great, the father of monasticism. 

Anthony wanted to follow the example of St. Berard and go on a mission to Africa, but God had other plans. He fell sick, and while he recovered, Anthony was assigned to Padua in northeastern Italy, where he would spend most of the rest of his life. There Anthony became a friend and student of St. Francis of Assisi, who counseled the young friar to preach and teach “in such a manner that the spirit of prayer be not extinguished either in yourself or in the other brethren."

Anthony performed over a dozen known miracles. Through these, he turned entire once-heretical cities to Christ: Rimini, Italy through summoning a school of fish during a sermon, and Toulouse, France by causing a mule to kneel in front of the Blessed Sacrament. On two separate occasions, he had, with the healing power of God, brought a young child who had drowned back to life. 

Anthony died in 1231 at the age of 36 while reportedly singing to the Virgin Mary. His last words were recorded as, “I see my Lord.” He was canonized only one year later by Pope Gregory IX, one of the fastest in Church history. 

St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us.