Saint Anthony of Padua is a Doctor of the Church and likely most well known, Franciscan saint , after St. Francis of Assisi. Born to a noble family in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1195, he rejected his family’s wealth and became a Dominican. Moved by the Franciscan martyrs of that time, he preached the Gospel, he then left his order, joined the Friars Minor  and left Portugal to Evangelize. He was such a gifted speaker that he attracted large crowds . Wherever he went, throughout Italy and France, he preached the gospel, spoke in multiple tongues and said to have performed miracles. He was canonized May 30, 1232. When his body was exhumed, his tongue and mandibles were found incorrupt. They are stiil on dispaly at the shine in Padua, Italy

Prayer to San Antonio de Padua

Good Saint Anthony, in God’s providence you have secured for His people many marvelous favors. You have been especially celebrated, good Saint Anthony, for your goodness to the poor and the hungry, for finding employment to those seeking it, for your special care of those who travel, and for keepimg safe from harm all who must be away from home. You are widely known also, good Saint Anthony, for securing peace in the family, for your delicate mercy in finding lost things, for safe delivery of messages, and for your concern for women in childbirth. In honoring you, Saint Anthony, for the many graces our Lord grants through your favor, we trustfully and confidently ask your aid in our present need. Pray for us, good Saint Anthony, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

May it be a source of joy, O God, to your church that we honor the memory of your Confessor and Doctor, Saint Anthony. May his spiritual help always make us strong, and by his assistance may we enjoy an eternal reward. This we ask through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen