1195–1231
Portuguese Franciscan friar, preacher, and Doctor of the Church — patron saint of lost things.
Fernando Martins de Bulhões was born to a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal, around 1195. He entered the Augustinian order at fifteen, then transferred to the new Franciscan order in 1220 after seeing the bodies of five Franciscan martyrs returned from Morocco. He took the name Anthony in honor of Saint Anthony the Great, the desert father. Anthony hoped to die a martyr in Morocco himself but was sent back to Europe by illness. While at a Franciscan gathering, he was unexpectedly called on to preach when the appointed homilist failed to appear — and revealed himself as one of the greatest preachers of the medieval church. He spent the remainder of his short life traveling and preaching across Italy and southern France, gathering crowds so large that no church could hold them; he often preached in public squares to tens of thousands. His sermons drew Albigensian heretics and lapsed Catholics back to the faith. He was so beloved that when he died at age 35 (June 13, 1231), Pope Gregory IX canonized him within 11 months — among the fastest canonizations in church history. The famous association with lost items comes from an episode during his life: a novice ran off with a valuable Psalter Anthony was using; Anthony prayed for its return; the novice was struck with vision and conviction and returned the book. Devotees ever since have invoked Anthony for the recovery of lost objects, lost people, and lost souls. He was named a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII in 1946.
Anthony's life is full of recorded miracles: speaking to fish on the riverbank when townspeople would not listen to him (the fish came to the surface to listen); restoring a young man's amputated foot; preaching to mules and converting onlookers when the mules knelt before the Eucharist; reading hearts and sins of those who came for confession; bilocation. He is most associated, however, with the ongoing intercession for lost objects — millions of devotees over eight centuries have reported finding lost items after praying the simple invocation: 'Tony, Tony, look around. Something's lost and can't be found.' His tomb in Padua holds his body and his still-incorrupt tongue — preserved as a relic of the gifts of preaching.
“Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak.”
“Happy the man whose words come from the Holy Spirit and not from himself.”
“The spirit of humility is sweeter than honey, and those who feed on this honey produce sweet fruit.”
Saint Anthony, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that I may find (mention what is lost), which has been lost. At least restore to me peace and tranquility of mind, the loss of which has afflicted me even more than my material loss. To this favor, I ask another of you: that I may always remain in possession of the true good that is God. Let me rather lose all things than lose God, my supreme good. Let me never suffer the loss of my greatest treasure, eternal life with God. Amen.
Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony, please come around. Something is lost and cannot be found.
Saint Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) was a Portuguese Franciscan friar and preacher, born in Lisbon and most associated with Padua, Italy, where he died at age 35. Known as one of the greatest medieval preachers, he was canonized within a year of his death and named a Doctor of the Church in 1946. He is the patron saint of lost things, lost people, travelers, and the poor.
Saint Anthony of Padua's feast day is June 13, the date of his death in 1231. The day is celebrated especially in Padua (home of his shrine), in Portugal (his birthplace), and in Italian and Portuguese communities worldwide. Traditional customs include the blessing of bread for the poor and processions with his statue.
The association comes from an episode during his life: a Franciscan novice ran off with a valuable Psalter Anthony was using for prayer and teaching. Anthony prayed for the book's return. The novice — according to the tradition — was struck with vivid spiritual conviction, returned the Psalter, and reentered the Franciscan order. Devotees ever since have invoked Anthony when items are lost, with the famous short invocation: 'Tony, Tony, look around. Something's lost and can't be found.'
The traditional prayer is: 'Saint Anthony, perfect imitator of Jesus, who received from God the special power of restoring lost things, grant that I may find what has been lost.' Many Catholics simply use the short form: 'Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony, please come around. Something is lost and cannot be found.' Both invoke Anthony's intercession for the return of what is missing — material objects, lost people, or lost souls.