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“Something’s Lost and Must Be Found!” Praying to St. Anthony of Padua [Catholic Caucus]
WAU.org ^ | June 2011 | Mitch Finley

Posted on 06/13/2011 4:12:17 PM PDT by Salvation

“Something’s Lost and Must Be Found!”

Praying to St. Anthony of Padua

“Something’s Lost and Must Be Found!”

St. Anthony of Padua was a great Franciscan preacher from the Middle Ages, but he is most remembered as the finder of lost or stolen objects. Even today stories are told by people who recover lost articles following prayer for the intercession of St. Anthony.

The reason for invoking St. Anthony’s help stems from an incident in the saint’s life. Anthony had a book of psalms that he cherished. Any book before the invention of the printing press was of great value, but this one also included the notes he used when he taught students in the Franciscan Order. A novice who had grown weary of the religious life decided to leave the community, and on the way out he took Anthony’s book of psalms. When the future saint noticed that his book was missing, he prayed that it would be found and returned to him. After this prayer the novice returned the book to Anthony and also returned to the order.

Anthony was born Ferdinand de Bulhoes in 1195 in Lisbon, Portugal. He was the son of a knight who served in the court of King Alfonso II of Portugal. As a boy he studied under the priests of the Lisbon cathedral. When he was fifteen, he entered an Augustinian monastery, where he was educated. He was ordained an Augustinian priest in 1219. A year or so later, he met some Franciscan missionaries on their way to Morocco to preach to the Muslims. The friars were later martyred, which so inspired Anthony that he asked permission to transfer to the Franciscan Order. It was granted, so he took the name Anthony and set off for Morocco to be a missionary. He returned the following spring because of health problems. His ship, which had been headed to Portugal, was caught in a storm so he ended up in Italy.

Anthony was assigned to work in a kitchen in St. Paul’s Monastery near Forli. One evening he was called to give an extemporaneous sermon. His preaching was so powerful that he was sent to preach all over Italy. His sermons attracted huge crowds, and soon he spent all his time preaching. In 1226 he moved to Padua. He reformed the city by attacking corruption wherever he saw it. He did all he could for the poor, struggled to abolish debtors’ prisons, and engaged in dialogue with those opposed to orthodox Christianity, frequently winning them over.

In 1231 Anthony became seriously ill and died on June 13. He was just thirty-six years old. Anthony was canonized the following year, and in 1946 he was declared a doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII.

This is taken from the Patron Saints Handbook, by Mitch Finley. Click here to read an excerpt from the book.



TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; History; Theology
KEYWORDS: catholic; catholiclist; saints
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"Tony, Tony, look around, Something's lost and must be found."
1 posted on 06/13/2011 4:12:23 PM PDT by Salvation
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To: All
A Christian Pilgrim

THE DEATH OF BLESSED ANTHONY

THE DEATH OF BLESSED ANTHONY 

In the year of our Lord’s incarnation 1231, in the fourth indiction, on the thirteenth day of June, the sixth of the week, the most blessed father and our confrere Anthony, Iberian by origin, in the city of Padua where the Most High exalted His own name through him, in the dwelling of the friars at Arcella, having set forth on the journey of all flesh, happily passed on to the mansions of the heavenly spirits. 

When for some time he had left behind the crowds of people who flocked together from everywhere to hear and see him, he withdrew, for reasons of rest, from the city of Paduato Camposampiero, and began to give himself exclusively to God. If any dust  from his frequent contacts with people in the world had adhered to him, as is usual, he wanted to wipe it off with the tears of devotion and with the hair of holy meditation. 

When, on a certain day [June 13, 1231], called by the bell for lunch, he came down from his cell, which he had asked to be built in the nut tree, he sat down at the table with the friars as was his custom. But the hand of the Lord descended on him there, and he suddenly began to be forsaken by the powers of his whole body. Ad the infirmity increased noticeably, he rose from the table, supported by the friars, but, not being able to hold up his weak limbs, he quickly laid himself on a straw bed [He was overcome by a seizure of some kind]. 

The servant of God, feeling therefore that his bodily death was imminent, called to himself one of his confreres and companions, a certain Roger, and said to him, “Brother, if you agree, I would like to go to Padua, to the place of St. Mary, in order not to burden these friars.” When the brother was persuaded, and a cart had been brought, the holy father was placed on it, although the local friars were opposed as much as possible that he be taken anywhere else. But, since they saw that the most blessed Anthony wished this, they unwillingly gave in to what was being done. 

Friar Vinotus, who was on his way to visit the man of God, met him when he was already approaching the city. When he saw that Anthony was grievously suffering from the malady, he began to beseech him to stop at the house of the friars at Arcella. In fact, friars lived there next to the monastery of the Poor Ladies, taking care of their spiritual needs, according to the custom of the order. Then, the same friar added that a great tumult and not a bit of confusion would occur at the friars’ place once they entered the city because they would be exposed to the troublesome onrush of people. Hearing these things, the servant of God assented to the requests of the petitioner and, acquiescing to his wishes, changed his direction for the friars’ house. 

Once he found himself with the friars at Arcella, the hand of the Lord weighed heavier on him and, as the malady grew more violent, he showed signs of intense anguish. When he had rested for a brief moment, having confessed and received absolution, he began to sing a hymn to the glorious Virgin, saying, “O glorious Lady,” etc. 

Having finished the hymn, he suddenly raised his eyes toward heaven and, with a stunned look, stared in front of himself for a long time. When the friar who was supporting him asked what he saw, he answered, “I see my Lord.” 

The friars who were present, seeing that his happy end was approaching, decided to anoint the saint of God with the oil of holy unction. When a certain friar came to him, carrying the sacred oil as usual, blessed Anthony looked straight at him and said, “Brother, it is not necessary to do this to me, for I already have this anointing within me. Nonetheless, it is good for me and I agree to it.” 

And, having extended his hands and then joined his palms, he sang the penitential psalms with the friars until he completed them to the end. He still held up for almost half an hour. Then, that most holy soul, freed from the prison of his flesh, was absorbed into the abyss of light. 

Truly, his body bore altogether the appearance of someone sleeping. And, even his hands, having become very white, surpassed the beauty of their former complexion. His other bodily limbs proved to be flexible, conforming to the touch of those who handled them. 

O truly holy servant of the Most High, you merited even during this life, to see the Lord! O most holy soul, even if a persecutor’s cruelty did not carry you away, nevertheless the desire of martyrdom and the sword of compassion transfixed you a thousand times over! Worthy father, welcome kindly those who honour you with sacrifices of their devotion, and, through your intercession, help us who are still not allowed to draw close to the face of God. Amen. 

Source: LIFE OF ST. ANTHONY “ASSIDUA”  by a contemporary Franciscan [Translated by Bernard Przewozny, OFMConv.] – Edizioni Messaggero, Padua


2 posted on 06/13/2011 4:14:42 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: All

3 posted on 06/13/2011 4:15:19 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
While mom was praying...I was looking.

Finally learned....

Okay Mom: I'll pray....YOU look!!

P.S. Nothing ever fell out of the sky!!

4 posted on 06/13/2011 4:15:38 PM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: nickcarraway; NYer; ELS; Pyro7480; livius; ArrogantBustard; Catholicguy; RobbyS; marshmallow; ...
Saint of the Day Ping!

If you aren’t on this ping list NOW and would like to be on it, please Freepmail me.

5 posted on 06/13/2011 4:16:52 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Sacajaweau

I could not locate my debit card in my wallet today while getting groceries. In front of the clerk I said, “OK, St. Anthony, kick in.”

Instantly, I knew I had placed my card inside a book. I went out to my car, and sure enough, there was my card inside a book.

And I remembered to say, “Thanks, St. Anthony!”


6 posted on 06/13/2011 4:20:04 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
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To: Salvation
I sew for a living and one day one of the Jewish decorators I worked for couldn't find a bold of fabric and claimed that for sure I had it. I didn't and told her to pray to St. Anthony. Well, within 15 min she calls back and said the warehouse found it. Almost converted a Jew that day.
7 posted on 06/13/2011 4:30:04 PM PDT by Guardian Sebastian (All I needed to know about Islam I learned on 9-11.)
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Comment #8 Removed by Moderator

To: fish hawk

Not a mere man, a saint. There is a difference.


9 posted on 06/13/2011 4:43:29 PM PDT by Guardian Sebastian (All I needed to know about Islam I learned on 9-11.)
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To: Salvation; Mad Dawg; NYer; Cronos; fatima

This reminds me of a sort of funny conversation I had with a friend while discussing St. Anthony. My friend Jeanne goes “St. Anthony used to work miracles!! He converted thousands, he had the gift of healing!! The baby Jesus loved him so dearly so as to be held by him.... and we go to him ............when we’ve lost something?!!!! Sheesshhhh!

LOL


10 posted on 06/13/2011 5:10:47 PM PDT by diamond6 (Check out: http://www.biblechristiansociety.com/home.php and learn about the faith.)
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To: Salvation
He reformed the city by attacking corruption wherever he saw it. He did all he could for the poor, struggled to abolish debtors’ prisons, and engaged in dialogue with those opposed to orthodox Christianity, frequently winning them over.

There is a misconception that the church was all powerful in the Middle Ages. There were powerful people opposed to or despising of Christianity. There were professing Christians who were phonies, and these included influential people in church leadership. Things haven't changed.

11 posted on 06/13/2011 5:31:37 PM PDT by Tribune7 (We're flat broke, but he thinks these solar shingles and really fast trains will magically save us.)
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To: Salvation

My grandmother, who was raised in Pennsylvania coal country and educated by Irish nuns, never sent a letter without writing S.A.S. on the envelope flap, or near the stamp. She taught me that it meant St. Anthony Save and that the blessing would keep the letter from going astray.

It worked too. She was constantly sending cards and letters to her grandchildren with a couple of dollars stuck inside. The money always arrived and was never stolen. R.I.P., Granny.


12 posted on 06/13/2011 5:41:32 PM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
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To: Salvation

I don’t know how St. Anthony can help anyone else as busy as I keep him!


13 posted on 06/13/2011 6:03:19 PM PDT by Jvette
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Comment #14 Removed by Moderator

Comment #15 Removed by Moderator

To: fish hawk

Here’s a clue: Look up the word “intercede.”


16 posted on 06/13/2011 6:46:29 PM PDT by Fudd Fan (Congress shall make no law...)
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To: fish hawk
Where your side and our side disagree is that we think amazing things happen when a "mere man" is sanctified.

and whatever out theology teaches, the world is full of amazing stories about what happens when someone asks St.Anthony to help him find stuff.

It is amazing when, as happened recently to me, one can't find something, prays for Anthony's intercession, and then on the very next step kicks something,looks down, and sees it is the thing one was looking for.

17 posted on 06/13/2011 7:13:01 PM PDT by Mad Dawg (Oh Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee.)
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To: Salvation
"Saints Fun Facts"

Amazing! I am not as well read or catechized as many here but never fail to be amazed by the stories of saints.

18 posted on 06/13/2011 7:28:40 PM PDT by steve86 (Acerbic by nature, not nurture (Could be worst in 40 years))
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To: fish hawk

This Religion Forum thread is labeled “Cathaolic Caucus” meaning if you are not currently, actively Catholic then do not post on this thread.


19 posted on 06/13/2011 8:07:23 PM PDT by Religion Moderator
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To: Salvation

Just think of the irony of not being able to find a parish named St. Anthony....


20 posted on 06/13/2011 8:22:34 PM PDT by Desdemona ( If trusting the men in the clergy was a requirement for Faith, there would be no one in the pews.)
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