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The Feast of St. Anthony is observed every June 13 to honor St. Anthony of Padua, a revered priest known for his powerful preaching and devotion to the poor. He is widely recognized as the patron saint for the recovery of lost items. Join in prayer, seek his intercession, and celebrate his enduring legacy.
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Expected Feast of St. Anthony Deals
The Feast of St. Anthony, a day of spiritual recognition, doesn’t typically feature commercial deals but rather encourages acts of charity and devotion. Many Catholic organizations, like the National Shrine of St. Anthony (shrineofstanthony.org) and the Franciscans (franciscan.org), will host special Masses, novenas, and opportunities for almsgiving. Local parishes often organize community events, such as blessing of St. Anthony’s Bread for the poor. Consider donating to a local food bank or a charity that supports those in need, honoring St. Anthony’s compassion. We will update this page with confirmed live events and charitable initiatives as June 13 approaches.
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Mention @NatlToday and use #FeastOfStAnthony. Share prayers, quotes from St. Anthony, or reflections on his life and miracles.
Feast of St. Anthony Hero
St. Anthony of Padua
History of Feast of St. Anthony
St. Anthony of Padua was born Fernando Martins de Bulhões to a wealthy and prominent family in Lisbon, Portugal on August 15, 1195. His father, Martin de Bouillon, was a descendant of Godfrey de Bouillon, commander of the First Crusade, while his mother, Theresa Tavejra, was a descendant of the fourth king of Asturia, Froila I.
Anthony was educated at the Cathedral School of Saint Mary near his house, where his teachers suggested that he become a knight at the king’s court. However, his father believed Anthony was better suited to intellectual pursuits and wanted him to help manage the family’s estate and become a nobleman. To his father’s dismay, Anthony joined the Canons Regular of St. Augustine when he was 15 and entered St. Vincent’s convent of Lisbon in 1210. Anthony soon asked to be transferred to the Holy Cross Monastery in Coimbra where he spent eight years studying theology and was later ordained a priest. During this period, he befriended many friars following Francis of Assisi, who built an order of friars and traveled extensively, preaching to non-believers.
In 1220, he joined the Franciscan order inspired by five Fransicians who were martyred in Morocco. He, too, hoped to preach to Muslims and be martyred. On his way to Morocco, he became seriously ill and was forced to return home, but his ship back to Portugal was blown off course and finally landed in Sicily. Because of his deteriorating health, he was not allowed to pursue missionary work. Instead, he taught theology in Bologna, Italy; and at Montpellier, Toulouse, and Puy-en-Velay in southern France. He won great admiration as a preacher and was noted for his simple yet profound teaching of the Catholic faith. He died on his way to Padua, Italy on June 13 in 1231.
Feast of St. Anthony timeline
St. Anthony of Padua is born Fernando Martins de Bulhões to a wealthy and socially prominent family in Lisbon, Portugal.
Anthony joins the Franciscan order, hoping to preach to Muslims and be martyred.
Anthony becomes sick with ergotism and dies on June 13 on the way to Padua, where he is now buried.
Anthony is canonized by Pope Gregory IX on May 30, 1232, at Spotelo, Italy for his spiritual teachings and devotion to the Church.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Feast of St. Anthony
Local businesses, particularly those in communities with a strong Catholic presence, can observe the Feast of St. Anthony by organizing charitable initiatives. Consider partnering with a local food bank to collect ‘St. Anthony’s Bread’ donations for the needy, reflecting his compassion for the poor. Retailers might offer a special blessing for lost items or host an educational display about the saint’s life and significance. Restaurants could offer a special ‘St. Anthony’s Lily’ dessert, as lilies are a symbol associated with him. Emphasize community service and spiritual reflection rather than commercial gain.
Feast of St. Anthony FAQs
When is Feast of St. Anthony?
In 2027, the Feast of St. Anthony will be observed on Sunday, June 13. This annual commemoration invites Catholics and Christians worldwide to reflect on his devotion and seek his intercession.
Who is St. Anthony the patron saint of?
Beyond his well-known patronage of lost things, St. Anthony is also venerated as the patron of animals, especially horses, and is invoked for safe travel and against barrenness. His wide-ranging patronage reflects his compassionate nature.
How many people celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony?
The devotion to St. Anthony transcends national borders, with countless individuals participating in Masses, novenas, and processions in his honor. His feast day is a significant spiritual event for an estimated 1.3 billion Catholics globally, plus other Christians who recognize his sanctity.
What is 'St. Anthony's Bread'?
This charitable custom originated from a miracle attributed to St. Anthony, where a child was saved after his mother promised to donate the child’s weight in grain to the poor. Today, it symbolizes acts of charity and gratitude, often involving donations to food banks.
How to Observe Feast of St. Anthony
Go to church
Visit the church on this holy day to feel closer to God and to ponder upon St. Anthony’s spiritual teachings. Dedicate the day to learning more about his preaching and incorporate it into your life for a more fulfilling life.
Help the needy
Follow St. Anthony’s teachings of devoting yourself to the sick and the poor by donating money, helping out at soup kitchens, and spending time with those less fortunate than you. Any amount of time devoted will be appreciated.
Celebrate at home
Have a wholesome family dinner with your close family members by cooking up a delicious homecooked meal. Read more about his teachings in the many books written about him and share these fascinating stories with your children.
5 Remarkable Facts About St. Anthony
He preached to the fish
St. Anthony was once seen preaching to fish in Rimini to the surprise of non-believers, but soon a large crowd of fish had gathered to listen to him.
Marriage saint
He is known as a marriage saint in Portugal, Spain, and Brazil because legends exist of him reconciling couples.
Feast of all Feasts
Boston’s North End holds a feast every year on the weekend of the last Sunday in August in honor of St. Anthony called the "Feast of All Feasts."
Celebrated follower of Francis of Assisi
St. Anthony’s fame spread with Portuguese evangelization and he is known as the most celebrated follower of Francis of Assisi.
Poisoning
According to a story, St. Anthony’s food was poisoned by non-believers who challenged him to eat the food anyway —-which he did after blessing the food and coming out unharmed.
Why Feast of St. Anthony is Important
St. Anthony helped the poor and the sick
St. Anthony quickly became a champion of the poor in Padua. Among other acts, he influenced the local government to pass legislation that protected the poor from going to prison if they could not repay their debts.
He was a great orator
His presentations were so forceful, simple, and eloquent that he was asked to preach all over Italy and the regions of France. His theological expertise and inspirational oration also impressed the leader of the order, St. Francis, who enlisted Anthony to teach theology to other Franciscans. This was a unique honor, as he would have a huge impact on the order’s future and the Church.
He is celebrated all over the world
From the Americas to Asia to Africa, St. Anthony is revered all over the world. Outside of Europe, there are churches dedicated to him in Texas, Tamil Nadu and Goa in India, and the Philippines, among other places. He also inspired many artists who painted him frequently.
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