Saint Anthony- The Miracle worker.
“There is nothing in your Blessed Sacrament”, shouted a daring nonbeliever who was poking fun at a humble Franciscan Friar. The Friar not disheartened by this comment only politely replied “No problem, But I only ask you a kind favor, if your donkey bows before it will you believe me”? So the next day the unbeliever brought his hungry donkey to the town square. When the time came a basket of fresh oats was kept a little away from the hungry donkey. But however the non believer tried the donkey did not move a bit. Now finally the humble friar came to the Square and placed there a tabernacle containing the Blessed Sacrament and to the astonishment of the on looking crowd the donkey left its place, ran towards the tabernacle and bowed down before it. The onlookers were stunned but they knew that the Spirit of the lord lived in this friar. A lot had been heard of this man who is said to have had to have the power to be in two places at the same time. Fishes lifted their heads above the water to listen as he preached to them, after bored believers turned away and at one time through his miracles a foot severed by an ax was rejoined to its leg. These are the few wonders of the life of a man who is venerated in almost every Christian household and about whom nothing much needs to be repeated. He is one of the best known saints of the Roman Catholic Church and a “Doctor of the church” Saint Anthony of Padua.
Many a times it seems to us that only performing miracles show the spiritual greatness in a man. But have we ever wondered why did God give this gift to only a few? If we see in the life of Saint Anthony itself we see that he lived every moment of his life doing Gods will and there fore God rewarded him with the gift of performing such wonders. Anthony was born into a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal on 15 Th August 1195. His family wanted him to become a great noble, but he had other plans. Against the wishes of his family, Fernando entered the Augustinian Abbey of St.Vincent on the outskirts of Lisbon. The Canons Regular of St Augustine, of which he was now a member, were famous for their dedication to scholarly pursuits. Fernando studied Scripture and the Latin masters. Fernando was constantly visited by friends and relatives, bringing embarrassing gifts and news from their social world which disturbed him. His studies were suffering and there he found no peace. He persuaded his superiors to transfer him to the Augustinian Santa Cruz Monastery (Abbey of the Holy Cross) in Coimbra, then the capital of Portugal, and continued his studies. After his ordination, Fernando was placed in charge of hospitality in his abbey. In this role, in 1219, he came in contact with five Franciscans who were on their way to Morocco to preach to the Muslims there. Fernando was strongly attracted to the simple Gospel lifestyle of the Franciscan friars. In February 1220, news arrived that the five Franciscans had been martyred in Morocco. Fernando meditated on the heroism of these Franciscans, and he longed to embrace the simple lifestyle of the Franciscans. He wanted the freedom of a charismatic and joy-filled response to God's call to leave everything and follow Him. Fernando obtained permission from his superiors to join the Franciscan order. In the summer of 1220 he was invested with the Franciscan habit and began to learn the teachings of their founder, Francis of Assisi. He took the new name of Anthony when he joined the Order of Friars Minor in honor of Saint Anthony the Great, to whom the Franciscan hermitage where he was living was dedicated. After his ordination, Fernando was placed in charge of hospitality in his abbey. In this role, in 1219, he came in contact with five Franciscans who were on their way to Morocco to preach to the Muslims there. Fernando was strongly attracted to the simple Gospel lifestyle of the Franciscan friars. In February 1220, news arrived that the five Franciscans had been martyred in Morocco. Fernando meditated on the heroism of these Franciscans, and he longed to embrace the simple lifestyle of the Franciscans. He wanted the freedom of a charismatic and joy-filled response to God's call to leave everything and follow Him. Fernando obtained permission from his superiors to join the Franciscan order. In the summer of 1220 he was invested with the Franciscan habit and began to learn the teachings of their founder, Francis of Assisi. He took the new name of Anthony when he joined the Order of Friars Minor in honor of Saint Anthony the Great, to whom the Franciscan hermitage where he was living was dedicated.
Shortly after, Anthony set off to Morocco with another friar. He intended to die preaching the Gospel there. He is said to have been an eloquent preacher with a loud and clear voice, a winning smile, a wonderful memory, and profound learning. With the zeal of an apostle he undertook to reform the morality of his time by specifically combating the vices of luxury, avarice, and tyranny. He taught theology and won a great reputation throughout Italy as a preacher. One night, the Divine Child came to visit Anthony. He kissed the saint gently and told him how much He loved him. You have often seen statutes of St. Anthony with the Child in his arms. His death took place at the convent of the "Arcella", near Padua, on 13 June 1231. When he died, the children cried in the streets. All of the bells of the churches rang of their own accord. Angels came to earth to ring the bells for the death of the saint. He is buried in a chapel) of the large Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua.
There were many reported miracles on the day he died. But however to many it was the holy ness of this man which was what the were touched by. By virtue of his righteousness and his love for God he was declared a saint 352 days after his death which is recorded as the second fastest canonization in history of the Roman Catholic Church. It is told that when the vault in which, for thirty years, his sacred body had reposed was opened, the flesh was found reduced to dust but the preacher's tongue was seen to be uninjured, fresh, and of a lively red colour, it was reported at the time. On January 16, 1946, he was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church and is sometimes called the "Evangelical Doctor”. May he along with the other Saints today in heaven be a role model and inspiration to our lives. Saint Anthony pray for us.
----------------- William Afonso