Today, June 13, 2011 is the glorious feast day of St. Anthony of Padua. In Italy, he is simply known as
"Il Santo", "The Saint"! Why is he so popular? He was a contemporary of St. Francis of Assisi. They both knew each other. Both belonged to the same Friars Minor order. St. Anthony in his day was quite the miracle worker. He raised 3 people from the dead. He re-attached a foot that cut off from a youth. He bilocated - that is he was in two places at the same time. He preached, and even the fish came out of the water to listen. He converted many heretics. One heretic was not convinced that the fish came out of the water to listen to him. He said that his mule would have to listen to St. Anthony before he would be converted. The heretic starved the animal for 3 days. Then, he placed a bucket of food down on the ground for the animal to eat, but the mule did not. Rather, the mule went over to St. Anthony who told the mule to bow down to worship the Holy Eucharist. The animal obeyed St. Anthony and came close to the Blessed Sacrament and knelt on all 4 knees and put his head to the ground in worship. The heretic saw this and came near to the Blessed Sacrament and bowed his head to the ground in adoration as well. Like all the others, St. Anthony converted this heretic as well.
My dear friend, Jill, a new convert to Catholicism developed jaundice very badly. No doctor could find the cause. I started a 9 day novena to St. Anthony to find the exact cause, the exact remedy, and her health and happiness. Dr. Saddiqui decided to order her to do a test that was invasive and surgical. She was well aware that she could die on the table. She brought 2 family members to be there in case she expired. During the operation a stone fell out on to the table. Another stone was found as well. I learned later that besides all this, her records of 30 years ago were lost and this test could not have been done without them. But suddenly, all her records were recovered. In recovery, the doctors came in with thumbs up - a gesture that all was well! Her color and health was almost instant. St. Anthony had found the exact cause, the exact remedy and her health and happiness. On the way home from the hospital, Jill raved about St. Anthony. She also told this story to friends at a recent dinner party.
St. Anthony finds anything, anybody, any remedy. He even finds for others the faith that many people have lost!
My white statue of St. Anthony adorns my deck with Lake St. Claire in the background.
St. Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1195 and died in Padua in 1231. He was only 36 years old. He was canonized just 1 year after his death and was declared a "Doctor of the Church" on January 16, 1946. Originally he became an Augustinian monk at age 16, but then became a Friar Minor because he saw the remains of martyred saints. Both St. Anthony and St. Francis wanted to preach to the Muslims and be martyred, but God had different plans for both of them.
Here is how I get the attention of a saint, and it never fails. Before asking a saint for a favor I do this: I say this prayer: "Father, I offer you the Precious Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, Your Son, in thanksgiving for the birth, baptism, confirmation, ordination and life of St. Anthony (or any saint) now and for all eternity." Now, it is good to do this several time during the day. The Saint will know that you are thanking God for the saint's gifts and life, now and forever. The Saints do not have needs in heaven except one: to thank God. So, you will be fulfilling the saint's need! He will see this and draw close to you. Then ask of him for your favors. He will be glad to anwer your requests because you are answering his request. Of course, saints will help you even if you do not do this. But I am only telling you how I do it, and I receive very dear answers from St. Anthony and St. Joseph. Today is the feast day of St. Anthony. He will listen to you. He is very,very loving and exact and perfect in his answers! St. Anthony, Pray for us!!Amen. Thank you for all your great answers already given. We love you, St. Anthony! Pio
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