St. Anthony Of Padua

Today the Church celebrates the feast of St. Anthony of Padua. Born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1195, Ferdinand de Bulhoes joined the Regular Canons of St. Augustine at the age of 15. He was transferred to the monastery at Coimbra two years later where he devoted himself to prayer and became a learned scholar of the Bible. In 1220, an experience with the relics of Franciscan martyrs caused Ferdinand (now known as Anthony) to request admission to the Franciscan order. His preaching led him to Morocco and then to Italy , where he would spend the remainder of his life. Anthony was known as a gifted preacher and called upon to teach theology to his fellow Franciscans. He drew great crowds in Italy , but his greatest success was in Padua . During his life, he performed many miracles including bilocation (appearing in 2 places at the same time) and reattaching an amputated foot. Anthony died on June 13, 1231 at the age of 36. He was canonized a Saint in 1232 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1946 by Pope Pius XII. While sometimes reduced to being the ?finder of lost objects?, St. Anthony?s desire to teach the truths of the Catholic Faith should inspire us to proclaim the teachings of the Church for all to hear.