His Early Life…

St. Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal on August 15, 1195, feast of the Blessed Virgin into heaven. He was baptized in the Roman Catholic church and his parents gave him the name Fernando. Born of rich parents, Don Martino De Bouillion and Dona Teresa Taviera, Fernando had all the opportunities for a pleasurable life with all its comforts but, he did not choose the abundance of earthly goods instead, he entered the Augustinian Monastery in Lisbon and after ten years of study, he was ordained as an Augustinian priest. In 1220, Fernando wanted to be a Franciscan in order to evangelize the Saracens and the Muslims. Due to his request, he was accepted in the Franciscan Order and his name Fernando was changed to Anthony, patterned after the great Franciscan saint Anthony Abbot.

His Franciscan Life…

Initiated into the religious life of the Franciscans, Anthony was sent to Morocco at his request. Before long, he returned because of failing health. On his return trip, he was driven to Italy by a storm. In his humility, he concealed his own learning and was assignedinto menial tasks at the monastery near Froili. When his astounding gift of preaching was discovered, Anthony was sent out to preach and teach in the missions. He reached
Southern France and Northern Italy where his winning personality, combined with oratoricalproficiency drew more converts.

Founder of Lost Things…

Soon, Anthony was making hundreds of friends by the power of his sermons. In 1224, when obedience set him to preach in France, he made hundreds more. But a jealous man thought that Anthony’s success as a preacher was, in some way, related to his daily reading from a certain book. When no one was looking, he slipped into Anthony’s cell and stole his well-worn breviary. Anthony stormed heaven for help, the thief was happily nearing home. A terrible monster, growling and snorting, blocked his way. The thief promised that he will return the book if his life will be spared. He returned the book to Anthony, throwing himself at the saint’s feet.

Anthony showed the importance of the Blessed Sacrament to the people by performing a miracle. Aside from being a saint of the Holy Eucharist, he also evangelized the non-believers and the fishes as well.

Anthony’s health failed and he became very weak. Upon reading the Bible, the child Jesus appeared to him and he, with an indescribable joy, carried the Child on his arms.

His Death…

Anthony died in the peace of the Lord on the 13th of June 1232, eleven months after his death, Anthony was declared saint by Pope Gregory IV. He was called Patron by both Lisbon and Padua, a saint of the little people and a saint of yesterday, today and always.

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