The Saint of Miracles Among us

St Anthony of Padua was born 15 August 1195 in Lisbon, Portugal, and he died 13 June 1231 (aged 35), in Padua, Italy. Anthony of Padua was a Portuguese Catholic friar belonging to the Franciscan Order. He was born and raised in a wealthy family in Lisbon. He died in 1231 and was canonized within a year after his death, the shortest time in the history of the Church. His remains are kept in the Basilica in Padua, Italy. Noted by his contemporaries for his preaching and expert knowledge of Scripture, he was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1946. St. Anthony died on June 13 in 1231. He was buried in a little church outside the walls of the town of Padua. According to the Gregorian calendar, June 13, 1231, was a Friday. Saint Anthony was buried the following Tuesday, June 17, 1231, at Santa Maria Mater Domini. It is for this reason why the nine (9) day and thirteen (13) day Saint Anthony novenas are always recited on a Tuesday. In 1263, his remains were transferred to the newly constructed Basilica which is part of the present-day Basilica. Because of miracle activity for thirty-two years around the saint’s tomb, the Minister General of the Order of Franciscan Friars Minor, Giovanni Di Fidanza, made the decision to open the saint’s coffin. Friar Di Fidanza later became Saint Bonaventure. When St. Anthony’s coffin was opened in St. Bonaventure’s presence, bones and ashes were found. However, the saint’s vocal apparatus was found to be intact and his tongue was still red and soft. At the sight of the miracle, St. Bonaventure exclaimed in awe: “Oh blessed tongue, that ever praised the Lord, and led others to praise Him! Now it is clear how great are your merits before God!

Saint Anthony of Padua is known to millions of Catholics for lost items. Saint Anthony’s reputation as a finder of lost things dates to an incident in the saint’s life. As the legend goes, a novice who had grown tired of religious life decided to leave the Franciscan community. But before leaving, the novice took Saint Anthony’s psalter. The book was very important to Anthony, especially since it was before the printing press had been invented. The psalter had notes and comments he made in teaching his students in the Franciscan order. Anthony prayed that the psalter would be found and returned to him. Anthony’s prayers were answered: The novice returned the psalter and returned to the order.