Feast of Saint Anthony June 13th A reflection by Rev. Bob Johnnene OFd Mission Saints Sergius & Bacchus/ Franciscans of Divine Mercy missionstsergius.org franciscansdivinemercy.org St. Anthony of Padua, born Fernando Martins in Lisbon Portugal of rich and noble parents and at the age of 15 he entered an Augustinian order of canons on the outskirts of Lisbon. In 1212, distracted by frequent visits from family and friends, he asked to be transferred to the motherhouse of the congregation, the Abbey of Santa Cruz in Coimbra. Fernando joined a Franciscan after being attracted to the simple, lifestyle of the friars, whose order had been founded only eleven years prior. After five Franciscans had been beheaded in Morocco and their bodies to be returned and buried as martyrs in the Abbey of Santa Cruz Fernando obtained permission from church authorities to leave the Augustinians to join the new Franciscan Order. Upon his admission to the life of the friars he took the name Anthony (from the name of the chapel dedicated to St. Anthony the great located there and asked to go to Morocco but after getting sick and on a ship returning to Portugal that got blown off course in a storm he landed in Sicily and went from there to Tuscany. He lived in a cell one of the friars had made in a nearby cave, spending time in private prayer & study. One day, in 1222, in the town of Forli, on the occasion of an ordination, a number of visiting Dominican Friars were present, and there was some misunderstanding over who should preach. The Franciscans naturally expected that one of the Dominicans would occupy the pulpit, for they were renowned for their preaching; the Dominicans, on the other hand, had come unprepared, thinking that a Franciscan would be the homilist. In this quandary, the head of the hermitage, who had no one among his own humble friars suitable for the occasion, called upon Anthony, whom he suspected was most qualified, and entreated him to speak whatever the Holy Spirit should put into his mouth. Anthony objected but was overruled, and his sermon created a deep impression. Not only his rich voice and arresting manner, but the entire theme and substance of his discourse and his moving eloquence, held the attention of his hearers. Everyone was impressed with his knowledge of Scripture, acquired during his years as an Augustinian friar. At that point, Anthony was sent by Brother Gratian to the Franciscan province of Romagna, based in Bologna. It was not long before this friar Anthony caught the attention of the founder of the Franciscans; St. Francis of Assisi He soon came to the attention of the founder of the order. St. Francis had held a strong distrust of the place of theological studies in the life of his brotherhood, fearing that it might lead to an abandonment of their commitment to a life of real poverty. In Anthony, however, he found a kindred spirit for his vision, Anthony was also able to provide the teaching needed by young members of the order who might seek ordination. In 1224 St. Francis entrusted the pursuit of studies for any of his friars to the care of Anthony. The reason St. Anthonys help is invoked for finding things lost or stolen is traced to an incident that occurred in Bologna. According to the story, Anthony had a book of psalms that was of some importance to him as it contained the notes and comments he had made to use in teaching his students. A novice who had decided to leave took the psalter with him. Prior to the invention of the printing press, any book was an item of value. Upon noticing it was missing, Anthony prayed it would be found or returned. The thief was moved to restore the book to Anthony and return to the Order. The stolen book is said to be preserved in the Franciscan friary in Bologna. Eventually Anthony became an instructor at universities in southern France, but it was as a preacher that Anthony revealed his supreme gift. In 1226, Anthony returned to Italy and was appointed provincial superior of northern Italy. He chose the city of Padua as the home of his chapter of Franciscans. In 1228 he served as envoy from the general chapter to Pope Gregory the Ninth and at the papal court, his preaching was hailed as a jewel case of the Bible and he was commissioned to produce his collection of sermons, Sermons for Feast Days . Gregory IX himself described him as the Ark of the Testament Anthony became ill and, in 1231, went to the woodland retreat at Camposampiero with two other friars for a respite. There he lived in a cell built for him under the branches of a walnut tree. Anthony died on the way back to Padua on 13 June 1231 at the Poor Clare monastery at Arcella (now part of Padua), aged 35. According to his request Anthony was buried in the small church of Santa Maria Mater Domini, probably dating from the late 12th century and near which a convent had been founded by him in 1229. A a large Basilica was completed in that place dedicated to St. Anthony 1301. The original smaller church was incorporated into structure as the Cappella della Madonna Mora (Chapel of the Dark Madonna). The basilica is commonly known today as Il Santo. There are various legends surrounding the death of Anthony. One holds that when he died, the children cried in the streets and that all the bells of the churches rang of their own accord. Another legend regards his tongue. Anthony is buried in a chapel within the basilica built to honor him, where his tongue is displayed for veneration in a large reliquary which is similar to a monstrance that relics of saints are displayed in. Our St. Joseph Cupertino Parish in Fall River, Massachusetts has one with a relic of St. Francis and our St. Clare Convent in Mayville New York has one with a relic of St. Clare. When Anthony’s body was exhumed thirty years after his death, it was found turned to dust, but the tongue was claimed to have glistened and looked as if it was still alive and moist; apparently a further claim was made that this was a sign of his gift of eloquence in preaching. St. Anthony was declared a saint by Pope Gregory IX on 30 May 1232 less than one year after his death. His fame spread through Portuguese evangelization, and he has been known as the most celebrated of the followers of Saint Francis of Assisi. He is the patron saint of Padua and many places in Portugal. He is especially invoked for the recovery of lost items. In 1946 Pope Pius XII declared St. Anthony a Doctor of the Church because of the freshness and beauty of the Gospel emerged from Anthony’s writings. St Anthony is venerated all over the world as the Patron Saint for lost articles, and is credited with many miracles involving lost people, lost things and even lost spiritual goods. Throughout the entire world and in almost every city in the United States you will find a church dedicated to St. Anthony. In Boston there is St. Anthony’s Shrine which is staffed by the Franciscan order. I close with this prayer to St. Anthony for special intentions. Prayer to St. Anthony Gentle Servant of God St. Anthony, Help me find ways to honor Gods blessings by showing my love for all of Gods creatures. Share your strength that I may cope with the trials and troubles of daily life. You, through whose voice the Word of God was preached, intercede for my need (mention your special request here). Powerful Patron, be with me always and teach me to reach out in love and support to others. AMEN.
Posted on: Thu, 12 Jun 2014 22:03:17 +0000
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