Life of Saint Anthony of Padua
Saint Anthony of Padua (1195 – 1231), born Fernando Martins de Bulhões in Lisbon, Portugal, was a Franciscan friar renowned for his profound knowledge of the Scriptures and his eloquent preaching. Initially an Augustinian canon, he was moved by the martyrdom of five Franciscans in Morocco to join the Friars Minor, hoping to preach the Gospel and suffer the same fate. Though ill health prevented him from going to Morocco, his true calling was revealed when he was asked to preach at an ordination. His words, filled with the fire of the Holy Ghost, astonished all who heard him. He became a celebrated preacher throughout Italy and France, earning the title “Hammer of Heretics” for his defense of the Faith. He was a contemporary and friend of Saint Francis of Assisi himself. Known as the “Wonder-Worker” for the many miracles attributed to his intercession both in life and after his death, he was canonized less than a year after he died. In 1946, Pope Pius XII declared him a Doctor of the Church, bearing the title Doctor Evangelicus.
Prayers to Saint Anthony
Prayer for Lost Articles
O glorious St. Anthony, who didst receive from God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that I may find that which has been lost.
(Mention your request)
At least restore to me peace and tranquility of mind, the loss of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss. To this favour I ask another of thee: that I may always remain in possession of the true good that is God. Let me rather lose all things than lose God, my supreme good. Let me never suffer the loss of my greatest treasure, eternal life with God. Amen.
The Unfailing Prayer to Saint Anthony
O holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and Charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore of you to obtain for me my request.
(Mention your request)
The answer to my prayer may require a miracle; even so, you are the Saint of Miracles. O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms; and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.
Responsory of St. Anthony (Si Quaeris Miracula)
This ancient prayer, composed by Friar Julian of Spires, is often recited for the recovery of lost things and for other graces.
If then you ask for miracles,
Death, error, all calamities,
The leprosy and demons fly,
And health succeeds infirmities.
Cedunt mare, vincula;
membra, resque perditas
petunt et accipiunt
juvenes et cani.
The sea obeys and fetters break,
And lifeless limbs thou dost restore;
While treasures lost are found again,
When young and old thine aid implore.
Pereunt pericula,
cessat et necessitas;
narrent hi, qui sentiunt,
dicant Paduani.
All dangers vanish at thy prayer,
And direst need doth quickly flee;
Let those who know thy power proclaim,
Let Paduans say these things of thee.
V. Pray for us, O blessed Anthony.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
O God, may the votive commemoration of blessed Anthony, thy Confessor and Doctor, be a source of joy to thy Church, that she may always be fortified with spiritual assistance, and may deserve to possess eternal joy. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Contexte Historique
Saint Anthony of Padua is one of the most beloved saints in the Catholic Church. A Franciscan friar and Doctor of the Church from the 13th century, he is widely invoked as the patron saint of lost articles. This patronage stems from a story in which a novice stole a precious book of psalms from the saint. St. Anthony prayed for its return, and the thief was moved not only to return the psalter but also to repent and rejoin the order. For centuries, the faithful have turned to St. Anthony with a simple rhyme or a formal prayer, trusting in his powerful intercession to find not only lost possessions but also lost faith, lost peace, and lost souls.