Saint Anthony of Padua
Stored in Cargo: Saint Anthony of Padua
| Saint Anthony of Padua | |
| Feast Day | June 13 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Lost items, travelers, the poor, Lisbon, Padua, amputees |
| Birthplace | Lisbon, Portugal |
| Death Place | Padua, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes, likely edema |
| Primary Shrine | Basilica of Saint Anthony, Padua, Italy |
Saint Anthony of Padua (AD 1195 – June 13, AD 1231), born Fernando Martins de Bulhões, was a saint, Portuguese Franciscan friar, priest, preacher, and Doctor of the Church, renowned as the “Hammer of Heretics” and patron of lost items. Born in Lisbon, Portugal, to a noble family, he joined the Augustinian Order in AD 1210, but inspired by Franciscan martyrs, became a Franciscan in AD 1220, taking the name Anthony. Sent to Italy, he preached in Padua, Bologna, and northern Italy, combatting Cathar heresy with eloquent sermons. His miracles, like preaching to fish (*Vita Prima*, AD 1232) and restoring a severed foot, earned him fame. Declared a Doctor of the Church in AD 1946 by Pope Pius XII, he died in Padua on June 13, AD 1231, of natural causes, likely edema. Canonized on May 30, AD 1232, by Pope Gregory IX, his feast day is June 13 in the Roman Catholic Church. He is patron of lost items, travelers, the poor, Lisbon, Padua, and amputees.[1][2]
His relics, including his tongue, are venerated in the Basilica of Saint Anthony, Padua. Anthony’s sermons, blending Scripture and compassion, drew thousands, echoing the missionary zeal of Saint Barnabas and Saint James of Nisibis. His ability to find lost objects and his vision of the Christ Child solidified his legacy as a wonderworker and theologian.[3][4]
Biography
Birth
Saint Anthony was born in AD 1195 in Lisbon, Portugal, to Martin de Bulhões and Maria de Taveira, a noble family near Lisbon Cathedral. Baptized Fernando, he showed early piety and intellectual promise.[1][5]
Early Life
Educated by Lisbon’s cathedral canons, Anthony entered the Augustinian monastery of Saint Vincent in AD 1210, moving to Coimbra in AD 1212 to avoid family distractions. Inspired by five Franciscan martyrs of Morocco, he joined the Franciscans in AD 1220, taking the name Anthony after Anthony the Abbot. He sailed to Morocco but fell ill, returning via Sicily.[2][6]
Occupation
Anthony was a priest, Franciscan friar, preacher, and theologian. Ordained around AD 1220, he lived as a hermit in Montepaolo, Italy, until his preaching talent emerged at a AD 1222 ordination. He preached in Bologna, Padua, and northern Italy, confronting Cathar heretics. Appointed lector of theology by Saint Francis in AD 1223, he taught Franciscan novices. His Padua sermons (AD 1228–1231) drew crowds, reforming morals and reconciling enemies.[1][3]
Vocation
Anthony’s vocation was preaching and theological defense of Catholicism. His sermons, rich with Scripture, countered heresy and inspired conversions, similar to Saint Barnabas’s missionary outreach. Miracles, like preaching to fish when heretics ignored him (*Vita Prima*), authenticated his mission. His Eucharistic devotion and aid to the poor echoed Saint James of Nisibis’s charity. His writings, including *Sermons for Sundays*, remain influential. His intercession for lost items stems from a recovered psalter.[4][7]
Death
Anthony died on June 13, AD 1231, in Padua, Italy, aged 36, likely from edema (dropsy) after collapsing en route to a convent. Buried in a small Padua church, his relics were moved to the Basilica of Saint Anthony in AD 1263. His uncorrupted tongue, found in AD 1263, is a revered relic.[1][5]
Significant events
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: None
Death location: None
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Notable location:
Parishes
| Saint Anthony of Padua |
|---|
|
|
| This map created from a Cargo query () |
Canonization
Servant of God
Anthony’s recognition as a Servant of God began immediately after his death, with miracles reported at his tomb in Padua, fostering rapid veneration.[2]
Venerable
No formal Venerable declaration was recorded, as his sainthood predates modern processes. His cult spread across Italy and Portugal.[1]
Beatification
No distinct beatification occurred, as his swift canonization relied on widespread miracles.[4]
Canonization
Canonized on May 30, AD 1232, by Pope Gregory IX in Spoleto, Italy, less than a year after his death, due to numerous miracles, including healings and the fish sermon. Declared a Doctor of the Church in AD 1946 by Pope Pius XII.[1][3]
Miracles
Miracles include preaching to fish (*Vita Prima*), restoring a severed foot, and the Christ Child appearing to him, confirming his sanctity. Posthumous intercessions, like recovering lost items, supported his canonization.[3]
Miracle for beatification
No separate beatification; the fish sermon and healings sufficed for canonization.[4]
Miracle for canonization
The severed foot restoration and Christ Child vision were key for his AD 1232 canonization.[3]
Other notable miracles
- Bilocation to save his father from execution, AD 1226.
- Recovery of a stolen psalter, AD 1230.[7]
Patronage
Saint Anthony is patron of lost items (from recovered psalter), travelers, the poor, Lisbon, Padua, and amputees (from healings).[8]
Feast day
His feast day is June 13 in the Roman Catholic Church, commemorating his death.[1][7]
Veneration
Anthony is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church, with devotion in the Eastern Orthodox and Anglican Communions. Pilgrimages to the Basilica of Saint Anthony, Padua, honor his relics, especially his tongue. His image, with a lily or Christ Child, adorns churches like Saint Anthony’s in Lisbon and Padua. Feast day liturgies feature his sermons, emphasizing charity. His missionary zeal aligns with Saint Barnabas and Saint James of Nisibis.[4][9]
Books
Written about the saint
- Lives of the Saints, Vol. VI by Alban Butler[2]
- Saint Anthony of Padua: His Life and Miracles by Leonard Foley[1]
- St. Anthony: The Wonder-Worker of Padua by Charles Warren Stoddard[1]
Written by the saint
External links
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 "Anthony of Padua". Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_of_Padua.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "St. Anthony of Padua". New Advent. https://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01556a.htm.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Saint Anthony of Padua". Franciscan Media. 2024-06-13. https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-anthony-of-padua.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Saint Anthony of Padua". CatholicSaints.Info. https://catholicsaints.info/saint-anthony-of-padua/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "St. Anthony of Padua". Catholic News Agency. 2024-06-13. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/st-anthony-of-padua-488.
- ↑ "St. Anthony of Padua". Eternal Word Television Network. https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/saints/anthony-of-padua-1216.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "St. Anthony of Padua". Vatican News. 2024-06-13. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/saints/06/13/st--anthony-of-padua.html.
- ↑ "Saint Anthony of Padua". Saint of the Day. 2022-11-30. https://saintoftheday.com/st-anthony-of-padua.
- ↑ "Basilica of Saint Anthony, Padua". Basilica del Santo. https://www.basilicadelsanto.org/en.