saint anthony of Padua

Saint Anthony of Padua, born Fernando Martins de Bulhões, was born in 1195 in Lisbon, Portugal, into a wealthy family. Raised in a Christian household, he received a strong education and joined the Augustinian Order at the age of 15. He spent several years studying theology and scripture at the monasteries of Coimbra.

Despite his academic life, Fernando felt called to something deeper. Fernando left the Augustinians and joined the Franciscan order in 1220, after being moved by the sacrifice of 5 Franciscan missionaries who were martyred in Morocco. He took the name  Anthony, after Saint Anthony of Egypt, a fourth-century hermit.

Anthony desired to follow in the martyrs’ footsteps and travel to Morocco to preach the Gospel. However, shortly after arriving, he became gravely ill and had to return to Europe. A storm diverted his ship to Sicily, and he eventually made his way to Assisi, Italy. He would live in Italy for the rest of his life, where he would eventually become known as a great Saint.

Discovery of His Preaching Gifts

Anthony lived humbly in a hermitage and worked in the kitchen. During a gathering of Franciscans and Dominicans, there was confusion over who would present the homily. The Dominicans were known for their preaching, so the Franciscans assumed it was they who would provide a sermon, but the Dominicans assumed the Franciscans would provide one. Eventually Anthony was asked to give a sermon, and was asked to speak on “whatever the Holy Spirit told him to speak of.” His speech stunned everyone with its brilliance, depth of scripture, and spiritual power. From that point, Anthony was known as a preacher and teacher — and his mission truly began.

Ministry and Impact

Over the next several years, Anthony traveled across Italy and southern France, preaching to thousands. He became known for:

• Converting hardened sinners
  
  

• Refuting heresies
  
  

• Promoting charity and social justice
  
  

• Teaching theology to Franciscan friars
  
  

He had a special gift for preaching with both simplicity and depth, and often drew huge crowds — sometimes so large he had to preach in open fields. He was also a champion for the poor and spoke out against economic injustices and corruption.

Saint Anthony was given the name Hammer of Heretics (Malleus Hereticorum) for his ability to refute heresies and hardline heretics of his time, along with his miracles defending the Church.

Death and Canonization

Anthony died on June 13, 1231, at just 36 years old, in Padua. His final words were, “I see my Lord.” His death sparked a huge outpouring of grief, and miracles were reported at his tomb almost immediately. He was canonized just 11 months later by Pope Gregory IX in 1232 — one of the fastest canonizations in history.

In 1946, Pope Pius XII declared him a Doctor of the Church for his profound theological insight.

Miracles and Signs

Many miracles were attributed to Anthony both during his life and after his death, including:

• Healing the sick and blind
  
  

• Raising the dead
  
  

• Multiplying food for the hungry
  
  

• Finding lost items

Mule and the Eucahrist: A heretic challenged Anthony to prove the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Antony brought out a hungry mule and placed before it food and the Eucharist.The hungry mule knelt before the Holy Sacrament, ignoring the food, and converting the heretic.

Reattaching a severed foot: A young man chopped off his own foot after confessing to Saint Anthony that he kicked his mother. During the confession he mistakenly believed he should actually cut off his foot after Anthony told him, “The foot that strikes a mother or father deserves to be cut off immediately." Saint Anthony reattached his foot, and he was perfectly healed.

Sermon to the fish: Anthony was preaching in Rimini, where heresy was present, and the people were not listening to him. Frustrated that they were not listening to him, Anthony went to the shore and started preaching to the fish, saying, “Since men do not want to hear the word of God, it is to you that I will announce it." Thousands of fish gathered and listened to Saint Anthony. Many who witnessed this repented and joined the Church.

Return of the Stolen Book: Saint Anthony had a book of psalms which was very valuable since the printing press was not invented yet. He used the book to help educate friars, but when a frustrated friar left the hermitage, he stole the book. Anthony prayed for it to be returned to him. Eventually, the friar returned the book and decided to rejoin the order. This is why Saint Anthony is known as the Saint of lost items, and millions of Catholics pray to him for lost items.

Legacy and Patronage

Saint Anthony is one of the most beloved saints in the Catholic Church. He is especially known as the Patron Saint of Lost Items, as well as of the poor, travelers, expectant mothers, miracles, and more. His intercession is frequently sought in everyday life, and thousands of people visit his shrine in Padua every year.

His feast day is celebrated on June 13, and he is remembered not only for his wisdom and miracles, but also for his compassion, humility, and love for the poor.