13/06/2025
Saint Anthony of Padua: The Saint Who Found What Was Lost
A long time ago in Portugal, there lived a kind and intelligent young man named Fernando. He loved God deeply and wanted to live a life of prayer and service. So he joined the Augustinian order, but later, inspired by the courage of Franciscan martyrs, he became a Franciscan friar and changed his name to Anthony.
Saint Anthony was known for his beautiful preaching, his deep knowledge of the Bible, and his humble heart. One time, when no priest showed up to give a sermon, the friars asked Anthony to speak. Though shy at first, he spoke so powerfully that even the most stubborn hearts were moved.
Many miracles were said to happen through him. One of the most famous happened when a young man lost a precious book that belonged to Anthony. Anthony prayed—and the thief returned it! Since then, people have asked for his help when they lose something.
Anthony also loved the poor and spent his life helping those in need, both spiritually and physically. After he died at only 36 years old in Padua, Italy, people quickly recognized him as a saint.
To this day, Saint Anthony is known as the patron saint of lost things and the poor. People all around the world still pray to him with the words of prayers:
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.
> Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (mention your request).
> 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.
> The gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen
