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Mr. Campbell
12/13/17
Religion
Fernando Martins, more commonly known as St. Anthony of Padua, was born into a
wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal in 1195. He is the patron saint of lost items. Some of his
symbols are lilies, the book, and the infant Jesus. As a young boy, he studied theology and Latin.
After he was ordained while he was working as a guestmaster, a group of Franciscan friars
settled just outside Coimbra in a hermitage dedicated to St. Anthony of Egypt. Fernando felt the
urge to join them in their mission. Later, Fernando gets permission to leave Abbey, and joins the
Franciscans. After he is accepted, he then changed his name from Fernando to Anthony. He
traveled to many places like Morocco to spread God’s word. During the trip, he became very
sick and was sent back to Portugal, so he could recover. The voyage home was taken off course
and ended up in Sicily, then the group traveled to Tuscany. Anthony filled his time studying and
praying. Dominican friars came and had confusion on who would present a homily. They
decided to have Anthony deliver a homily on what the Holy Spirit told him to say. Anthony
provided a homily so eloquent he moved both groups. The news soon reached St. Francis of
Assisi. He found a friend in Anthony and had him taught by his own friars. A few years later, he
died at the age of 36. He was canonized less than a year later by Pope Gregory IX. His body was
found 336 years later and his body was found corrupted. The only thing found incorrupt was
tongue. It was found perfect, just like his teachings he spread to many people.
Prayer:
St. Anthony,
Allow me to achieve the joy and treasure of eternal life with God.
Amen.
1. Where was St. Anthony born?
Works cited:
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=24
http://www.st-anthony-medal.com/symbols-of-saint-anthony.htm