St. Anthony of Padua June 13

St. Anthony of Padua, also known as Anthony of Lisbon, was born **Fernando Martins de Bulhões on August 15, 1195, in Lisbon, Portugal. He is one of the most beloved and revered saints in the Catholic Church, known for his powerful preaching, profound knowledge of scripture, and his devotion to the poor and sick.

Here are some key points about his life: - **Early Life**: Anthony was born into a wealthy family and was initially educated at the local cathedral school. At the age of 15, he joined the Canons Regular of the Order of the Holy Cross³.

- **Joining the Franciscans**: Moved by the martyrdom of Franciscan missionaries, he became a Franciscan friar in 1220, adopting the name Anthony in honor of St. Anthony the Great³.

- **Preaching and Teaching**: Anthony was noted for his eloquent sermons that combined theological depth with practical wisdom. His teachings were so inspiring that he attracted crowds wherever he went³.

- **Miracles**: Many miracles are attributed to him, both during his life and after his death, earning him the title of "wonder-worker." He is often depicted holding the child Jesus, which is a reference to a miraculous vision he is said to have had³.

- **Death and Canonization**: St. Anthony died on **June 13, 1231**, in Padua, Italy, and was canonized less than a year after his death, which is one of the fastest canonization processes in history³. He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII on **January 16, 1946**³.

St. Anthony is also the patron saint of lost items, and many people invoke his help when they lose something, using the traditional prayer, "Dear St. Anthony, please come around: something is lost, and it cannot be found."⁴

His feast day is celebrated on **June 13th**, and he is venerated as the patron saint of lost and stolen articles, the poor, travelers, and many more³⁴.

(1) Anthony of Padua - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_of_Padua. (2) St. Anthony of Padua - Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Anthony-of-Padua. (3) . https://bing.com/search?q=St.+Anthony+of+Padua. (4) St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. https://ap.church/. (5) Who is St. Anthony of Padua? | St Anthony Shrine. https://www.stanthony.org/who-st-anthony/.