Anthony of Padua

(Alvise Vivarini, ca. 1480) (link)

Feast Day June 13

Patron of Lost Things, Poor, Travelers, Portugal

Situations Lost Items, Shipwrecks, Starvation

Professions Elderly, Mail Carriers

Saint Anthony of Padua was a Portuguese Franciscan friar and Doctor of the Church, renowned for his powerful preaching and devotion to the poor. Born Fernando Martins de Bulhões in Lisbon around 1195, he is one of the most quickly canonized saints in Church history.

Responsory of Saint Anthony (Si Quaeris Miracula)

Si quaeris mirácula,

If then you ask for miracles,

mors, error, calámitas,

death, error, all calamities,

daemon, lepra fúgiunt,

the leprosy and demons fly,

aegri surgunt sani.

and health succeeds infirmities.

Cedunt mare, víncula;

The sea obeys and fetters break,

membra resque pérditas

and lifeless limbs you do restore;

petunt et accípiunt

while treasures lost are found again,

iúvenes et cani.

when young or old your aid implore.

Péreunt perícula,

All dangers vanish at your prayer,

cessat et necéssitas;

and direst need doth quickly flee;

narrent hi qui séntiunt,

let those who know your power proclaim,

dicant Paduáni.

let Paduans say: these are of thee.