June 13: Saint Anthony of Padua, Doctor of the Church
Preaching and Miracles in Service of the Kingdom of God
A Portuguese nobleman who renounced wealth and honors to join the Augustinian Canons, Saint Anthony of Padua was deeply moved by the martyrdom of five Franciscan proto-missionaries. Inspired by their example, he became a disciple of Saint Francis of Assisi, dedicating his life to preaching the Word of God.
Anthony was born around 1195 in Lisbon to noble parents and was baptized with the name Fernando. He received his early education under the guidance of the canons of the cathedral. At about the age of 15 he chose to follow his vocation and entered the Augustinian monastery of St. Vincent located outside the city walls of Lisbon thus beginning his path of consecration to God.
After two years he requested and received permission to transfer to the Augustinian monastery in Coimbra, then the capital of Portugal, likely to distance himself from friends and relatives in Lisbon to avoid distractions. He spent eight years at the Monastery of Santa Cruz in Coimbra, a renowned center for theological studies, where he deepened his knowledge of Sacred Scripture and the Church Fathers. At only 25 he was ordained a priest.
At that time, the mortal remains of the five Franciscan missionaries martyred in Morocco were brought to Coimbra and displayed in the church of Santa Cruz. This event marked a decisive turning point in his spiritual journey. To the surprise of those who knew him, in September 1220 he left the Augustinians to join the friars of Saint Francis. It was then that he abandoned his baptismal name and took the vocational name of Anthony.
He did indeed travel to Morocco but was unable to preach as he had hoped and was forced to return home suddenly affected by a mysterious illness. On the way back to Portugal, the ship he boarded was wrecked off the coast of Sicily. After recovering for about two months, he went to Assisi to meet Saint Francis. In fact, during Pentecost of 1221, Saint Francis had called all the friars together for a great gathering.
It was on this occasion that Anthony spoke with Francis, who confirmed his decision to follow Christ on the path of fraternity and humility he had established. Anthony then led an intense life of prayer and contemplation at the hermitage of Montepaolo in the region of Romagna. On September 1222, during a priestly ordination ceremony in Forlì, the designated preacher was unavailable so Anthony was asked to step in. He revealed himself to his contemporaries as a powerful preacher with an extraordinary gift in proclaiming the Gospel.
From that moment, he traveled through northern Italy and southern France, calling people to conversion and authentic Christian living.
By late 1223, he began teaching theology in Bologna where he remained for two years. From 1227 to 1230 he served as Provincial Minister visiting various communities of northern Italy. He developed a deep love for the city Padua and its small Franciscan community near the church of Santa Maria Mater Domini.
During Lent in 1231 his health declined due to severe fasting. After Easter, he withdrew with a few fellow friars to Camposampiero, a few kilometers from Padua, as a guest of Count Tiso. Seeking solitude, he lived in a small room built in a large walnut tree where he spent his days in contemplation and listening to the needs of local farmers. During this time, he was graced with a vision in which the Child Jesus appeared to him and rested in his arms.
On June 13, 1231, he fell seriously ill. He was placed on an ox-drawn cart to be taken to Padua where he wished to die. However, he passed away upon arriving in Arcella, a village at the city’s gates, uttering the words, “I see my Lord.”
He was buried in Padua, at the church of Santa Maria Mater Domini. Pope Gregory IX canonized him on May 30, 1232, just eleven months after his death. On January 16, 1946, Pope Pius XII proclaimed him a Doctor of the Universal Church.