St. Anthony of Padua: Preacher of Truth, Friend of the Poor
- Altynai Maria Abaskan
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
“Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak.” – St. Anthony of Padua
Celebrated on Friday, June 13, 2025, St. Anthony of Padua remains one of the most cherished saints in the Catholic Church. He is invoked for lost items, but behind this popular devotion lies a man of profound learning, radical humility, and fiery love for God. A Doctor of the Church, Anthony was a man who knew the Scriptures by heart—but more importantly, lived them with his life.
Born in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1195, Anthony was first drawn to the life of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine. However, his heart was set ablaze when he encountered the first Franciscan martyrs—five friars killed in Morocco while preaching Christ to the Muslims. Their witness awakened a deep longing in him to follow Christ radically, even unto martyrdom. He left everything and joined the Franciscan Order, hoping to serve as a missionary. But God had a different plan.
Hidden Gift Revealed
Anthony was small in stature and soft-spoken. For a long time, his gift for preaching remained hidden. He lived in humility, doing menial work, until one day at an ordination ceremony, the scheduled speaker was unable to give a homily. Anthony was asked to say a few words. What followed left everyone astonished. He spoke with such clarity, depth, and fire that even the learned Dominican friars in attendance were moved. From that moment, he was entrusted with the mission of preaching throughout Italy and France.
Known as the 'Hammer of Heretics,' Anthony’s preaching was not only intellectually powerful but full of compassion. He did not seek to win arguments but to win souls. He spoke of the mercy of God, of the dangers of sin, and of the joy of repentance. Crowds flocked to hear him. Miracles accompanied his preaching. Hearts were changed.
Defender of the Poor and the Forgotten
St. Anthony’s love was not confined to words. He defended the poor with courage and fought against injustice. He confronted moneylenders who exploited the vulnerable, protected women from abuse, and used his influence to reconcile enemies. His homilies often ended in concrete acts of mercy and restoration. To this day, the bread given to the poor in his name—“St. Anthony’s Bread”—continues his legacy of charity.
Anthony had a special devotion to the Child Jesus, and one of the most famous depictions of him shows the Infant Christ appearing to him and resting in his arms. It was this intimacy with Jesus that nourished his preaching and works. He spent hours in prayer and contemplation, especially before the Blessed Sacrament.
A Saint for the Lost
Why do we pray to St. Anthony of Padua for lost things? Tradition tells of a novice who stole a valuable book from Anthony’s monastery. Anthony prayed fervently for its return. The thief was moved to repentance and brought the book back. Since then, countless people have turned to him for help in finding what is lost—not only objects, but also lost peace, lost relationships, and lost faith.
In this way, Anthony remains a friend to those wandering. His intercession reminds us that nothing is too small—or too broken—to bring to God.
A Reflection for Our Time
In a world of noise and confusion, St. Anthony of Padua speaks with clarity. He calls us to return to the Gospel, to feed the hungry, to live with integrity. He invites us to search not only for lost things, but for the lost parts of our own hearts that need God’s mercy.
Anthony died in 1231 at just 36 years old. Less than a year later, he was canonized—a sign of the widespread love and devotion he inspired. His tomb in Padua, Italy, remains a place of pilgrimage and miracles.
Support the Mission of the Catholic Church
Your generosity empowers the Church to bring hope, faith, and love to those who need it most. By contributing today, you help us continue our vital mission of spreading the Gospel, serving communities, and building a brighter future rooted in Christ.
Every gift, no matter the size, makes an impact. Donate today and become part of this important mission.
*All articles in our blog are written with the help of ChatGPT AI and reviewed by human editors.