Who was Saint Anthony?
There are actually several noted St. Anthonys who represent very different things to people who observe or revere saints. Two stand out particularly: the early St. Anthony the Great lived in the 3rd and 4th centuries and is considered one of the founders of monasticism, though this is not entirely accurate; and Saint Anthony of Padua, who lived during the late 12th and early 13th centuries. The latter is more recognized than the earlier saint, receives more requests for intercessory prayer by numerous Catholics, and will be the subject of this explanation. Saint Anthony’s description “of Padua” is a little confusing, since Padua is in Italy, and the saint was born to a wealthy family in Portugal. Though much of his spiritual practice took place in Italy, Saint Anthony is usually recognized as one of the famous Portuguese saints. Anthony was highly educated but was early drawn to the Franciscan order and its founder St. Francis. His first intent as a Franciscan was to preach in Morocco,
Saint Anthony of Padua, born in Portugal at the beginning of the 12th century, was one of the most venerated saints in history. He is invoked especially when he is needed to help find lost objects. He is also invoked to stave of famine and scarcity. He is patron of amputees, oarsmen, domestic animals, of the elderly, of pregnant women, of fishermen, of crops, of horses, of small animals, of seafarers, of those who are sterile, of pig farmers, of airline stewardesses, of travelers and water sellers. In Portugal, Brazil and in some places in Latin America he is known as the patron of marriages, so on his saint’s day festival (13th of June) single women buy an image of Saint Anthony and place it upside down as a punishment until they find a good husband. The curious devotion appears frequently in Portuguese popular culture as it does in Latin American and Puerto Rican popular culture.
Saint Anthony (c.251-356) of Egypt was a hermit and one of the earliest monks. He is considered the founder and father of organized Christian monasticism. His rule represented one of the first attempts to codify guidelines for monastic living. Anthony began to practice an ascetic life at the age of 20 and after 15 years withdrew for absolute solitude to a mountain by the Nile called Pispir (now Dayr al-Maymun), where he lived from about 286 to 305. During the course of this retreat, he began his legendary combat against the devil, withstanding a series of temptations famous in Christian theology and iconography. In about 305 he emerged from his retreat to instruct and organize the monastic life of the hermits who imitated him and who had established themselves nearby. When Christian persecution ended after the Edict of Milan, he moved to a mountain in the Eastern Desert, between the Nile and the Red Sea, where the monastery Dayr Mari Antonios still stands. Here he remained, receiving v
In a spiritual profile the most obvious aspect is his passionate dedication, right from adolescence, to silence, to meditation, to an inner life, to prayer. Old biographies agree on this. His life story is of a great man of prayer. His companion Blessed Luke testifies to it: “This saint was truly a man of great prayer”. From his paternal home to the monastery of São Vicente, from here to Santa Cruz in Coimbra, from here to the hermitage in Olivais, and then following his missionary experience, to the retreat in Montepaolo. His life as an apostle was studded with periods of retreat and hermitage: the caves of Brive, Verna, the walnut tree in Camposampiero. He was a man of immense and constant solitude. He also kept his mouth shut. When circumstance required it, he was a surprising man. At the ordination in Forlì, the loner from the Appennine cave revealed himself to be what he is: a carrier of sacred science, an incomparable communicator. His fellow friars, were astonished and dumbfound
St. Anthony of Padua. He was a Franciscian friar in the 13th century. He was famed for his preaching – especially about the danger of herasy. Per Catholic tradition – he performed miracles while alive – reattached an amputated foot, “refilled” a wine barrel, etc… As well as after death. He was canonized upon his death. The cathedral in Padua is a pretty amazing place – lots and lots of relics. The story goes that his remains were transferred to the church about 30-40 years after death – when the coffin was opened – the entire body had disinegrated except for the tongue – which was the same as in life (he was a great preacher….) He is also the patron said of lost objects. People pray to him to help them find lost objects. And per stories, it is remarkable how often the objects are then found. Full disclosure: I am catholic. My sister had lost a ring (from our grandmother) while we were on vacation at the beach. She was very upset, searched EVERYWHERE and prayed to st. anthony to hel
