Anthony of Padua, Priest and Doctor

Saint Anthony lived in Portugal, and studied at the cathedral schools there. He was ordained and became a Franciscan friar. He became a great preacher and attracted large crowds wherever he spoke. He lived much of his life in Padua, Italy, where he taught theology and worked for social justice, especially for prisoners and the poor. He died very young, at age 36.

Anthony has been a favorite saint for hundreds of years because of the belief that he intercedes with God on behalf of many who have lost articles. Any Catholic who has, say, misplaced the car keys and said a short prayer to Saint Anthony can tell you how they “miraculously” found their keys virtually “under their noses.” We can count on the saints to help us, knowing that they, too, experienced many of the difficulties we encounter in our own lives.