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 born with the name, Ferdinand, and the son a wealthy and God fearing parents. At the age of 15, he joined the order of Canons Regular of St. Augustine. In 1212 he joined the Convent of Santa Croce in Cóimbra. After veiwing the burial of some Fransiscian martyrs, he asked to join the Order of Friars Minor. There he took the name Anthony. Once when a speaker failed ot appear, they asked Anthony to speake. He spoke with such a holy spirit that they asked him to preach through out the province.  He turned many people from Hereticy. and was so inflamed with peaking aobut the Holy Spirit, that he even preaches to the fishes who floated heat the shores and seems to listen intently. Many miracles are credited to him while he was alive and after his death. His preaching was so inpirred that there are many stories about him such as the following, Preaching one night on Holy Thursday in the Church of St. Pierre du Queriox at Limoges, he remembered he had to sing a Lesson of the Divine Office. Interrupting suddenly his discourse, he appeared at the same moment among the friars in choir to sing his Lesson, after which he continued his sermon.  The inhabitants of Padua erected to his memory a magnificent temple, whither his precious relics were transferred in 1263, in presence of St. Bonaventure, Minister General at the time. When the vault in which for thirty years his sacred body had reposed was opened, the flesh was found reduced to dust but the tongue uninjured, fresh, and of a lively red colour. St. Bonaventure, beholding this wonder, took the tongue affectionately in his hands and kissed it, exclaiming: "O Blessed Tongue that always praised the Lord, and made others bless Him, now it is evident what great merit thou hast before God." He is shown with the baby Jesus in many pictures because it is told Jesus appeared to him while he was reading his Bible.  He is the Patron saint of lost items, fishermen and faith in the Blessed Sacrement. Here is a prayer I use often. it is a bit childish but Jesus said to enter into Heaven you must appear as a child. St. Anthony,St. Anthony, please look around, (state the item that is lost) is lost and must be found. I express sincere thanks for your attention and ask that you help me further on the road to our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. More aboutSt. Anthony. |
