Saint Anthony of Padua

 

Born Fernando Martins de Bulhoes June 13, 1231 in Lisbon, Portugal. He was raised by a wealthy family in Lisbon. He joined the Canons Regular of St. Augustine, but, shortly after ordination to the priesthood, transferred to the Friars Minor to devote himself to spreading the faith among African peoples. He was noted by his peers for his powerful preaching, expert knowledge of the scriptures and undying love and devotion to the poor and sick, he was one on the most quickly canonized Saints in Church history, being canonized less than a year after his death in Padua, Italy. 

He is patron of miracles, travelers, animals, lost items, pregnancy, lost souls, lost people, and many more. He is noted for many miracles even up to today. There is one story about a heretic who challenged him to prove the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist by attracting a half starved mule with fodder while Anthony showed it the a monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament. The mule ignored the fodder and bowed before the Blessed Sacrament. 

PRAYER: O wonderful St. Anthony, glorious on account of the fame of your miracles, and through the condescension of Jesus in coming in the form of a little child to rest in your arms, obtain for me of His bounty the grace which I ardently desire from the depths of my heart . (State your intention)

You who were so compassionate toward miserable sinners, regard not the unworthiness of those who pray to you, but the glory of God that it may once again be magnified by the granting of the particular request which I have asked for with persevering earnestness. Amen