Though he died at the age of 36, St. Anthony of Padua stands as one of the Church’s greatest saints for his effectiveness in inspiring holiness in people.
When he was 25, the relics of Franciscan martyrs were brought to his town. They had just died in Morocco while trying to preach the Gospel there. Their stories inspired Anthony, and he decided to give everything to Christ. He joined the Franciscan order and soon received permission to travel to Morocco and to preach there just as the martyrs had. Just as soon as he arrived, however, he fell ill for several months and had to return to Europe.
The boat he was on was driven off course by a storm and he landed in Sicily. He made his way to Assisi, where a large meeting of Franciscans was convening—a gathering open to all members of the order.
One day, Dominicans and Franciscans gathered for a celebration and large meal. Through a misunderstanding, no one came prepared to give an address, and Anthony was asked to speak to everyone gathered and to share whatever the Holy Spirit inspired him to say. His address astonished the guests—he was eloquent and zealous, and the substance of his remarks was deep and thought-provoking.
He was immediately assigned to preach throughout the region, and converted many people, especially those who held distorted beliefs. He was very persuasive, had a passion for people, and possessed a resonant voice that carried well and was easy to listen to. He was short and round and had an attractive personality. He was given the gift of miracles, which accompanied the words he spoke. It was said that he seemed to radiate holiness.
St. Anthony is known as the “Wonder-Worker” and is patron saint for the recovery of lost items. Once, a young man who was learning the life of the Franciscans had decided to run away from the monastery. He stole Anthony’s book of psalms on the way out. The book contained Anthony’s notes for his preaching, so the saint prayed for its return and for the conversion of the young man. The young man had a change of heart and came back to the monastery, where he returned Anthony’s book and continued his formation as a Franciscan.
