Today is the feast day celebrating St. Anthony of Padua who is recognized as a Doctor of the Church. This high honor indicates the importance of Anthony's writings and his life in general. Even though he died in 1231, his life is still a great example for those of us living in 2013. He also has a link with Pope Francis as Anthony was a Franciscan. He died at the age of 36 and was elevated to sainthood less than a year after his death. His teaching was very impactful as he strove to speak simply so that the message of salvation though Jesus Christ could be revealed to everyone regardless of their educational training. You will typically see Anthony pictured with a book in his hand indicating his teaching mission. He is also frequently pictured holding the Child Jesus because Anthony was visited miraculously by Christ in this form. For many years, Catholics created action groups in their parishes to feed the hungry, in response to Jesus' instruction. These groups were typically named for Anthony to signify his feeding of the minds of people by teaching the message of Jesus Christ. Anthony did have occasion to interact with St. Francis of Assisi. Francis had held a strong distrust of the place of theological studies in the life of his brotherhood, fearing that it might lead to an abandonment of their commitment to a life of real poverty. In Anthony, however, he found a kindred spirit for his vision, who was also able to provide the teaching needed by young members of the order who might seek ordination. He thereby entrusted the pursuit of studies for any of his friars to the care of Brother Anthony. From then on his skills were used to the utmost by the Church. The reason for invoking St. Anthony’s help in finding lost or stolen things is traced back to an incident in his own life. As the story goes, Anthony had a book of psalms that was very important to him. Besides the value of any book before the invention of printing, the psalter had the notes and comments he had made to use in teaching students in his Franciscan Order. A novice who had already grown tired of living religious life decided to depart the community. Besides going AWOL he also took Anthony’s psalter! Upon realizing his psalter was missing, Anthony prayed it would be found or returned to him. And after his prayer the thieving novice was moved to return the psalter to Anthony and to return to the Order, which accepted him back. Legend has embroidered this story a bit. It has the novice stopped in his flight by a horrible devil, brandishing an ax and threatening to trample him underfoot if he did not immediately return the book. Obviously a devil would hardly command anyone to do something good. But the core of the story would seem to be true. And the stolen book is said to be preserved in the Franciscan friary in Bologna. In any event, shortly after his death people began praying through Anthony to find or recover lost and stolen articles. And the Responsory of St. Anthony composed by his contemporary, Julian of Spires, O.F.M., proclaims, “The sea obeys and fetters break/And lifeless limbs thou dost restore/While treasures lost are found again/When young or old thine aid implore.” Today, as we remember and celebrate St. Anthony, I encourage you to take the message of the Gospels to everyone. Be zealous like Anthony and if they do not want to listen, say it anyway.
