Saint Anthony of Padova. Copyrighted work available under Creative Commons Attribution — Wikicommons/Public Domain

On June 13, many towns and cities in Italy celebrate Saint Anthony, which special festivals and parades. The story of the Saint born in Portugal is now a big part of the Italian tradition.

Saint Anthony was born in Lisbon in A.D. 1195/ He joined the Canons Regular of St. Augustin which whom he studied Sacred Scripture and the writings of the Fathers. At around the age of 25, he became inspired by the Franciscans martyred in Morocco and decided to join their Order, taking the name “Anthony.”  Because of his illness, he could not move to Morocco, so he spent some time in Sicily, in Assisi, and then in Montepaolo his public life began: during the ordination of a group of Franciscan and Dominican friars, it was discovered that no one had been appointed to preach. 

As the Dominicans all declined, saying they were not prepared, St. Anthony started to teach so beautifully that word of his talents reached the ears of St. Francis, who blessed his work. St. Anthony was in Bologna, Montpellier, and Toulouse, but it was as a fearless orator (he became known as the “Hammer of the Heretics”) and a miracle worker that he is most reknowned.
 
St. Anthony, as a Franciscan, was also famous for helping the poor. At his encouragement, Padua passed a law in 1231 to help debtors who couldn’t pay their debts. 
 
 

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