Saint Anthony of Padua: From Aspiring Martyr to Eloquent Preacher
Born Fernando Martins de Bulhões in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1195, Saint Anthony of Padua initially joined the Augustinian Canons Regular, immersing himself in prayer and Scripture. His quiet scholarly life took a dramatic turn when the bodies of five Franciscan martyrs , slain for preaching to Muslims in Morocco, were brought to his monastery. Deeply moved, Fernando felt a burning desire to emulate their sacrifice and joined the newly formed Franciscan order, taking the name Anthony. He immediately set sail for Morocco, hoping to preach the Gospel and achieve martyrdom. However, a severe illness forced his return journey, and a storm providentially redirected his ship to Sicily. This unexpected detour led him to the famed Pentecost "Chapter of Mats" in Assisi, where he likely met St. Francis himself. Unbeknownst to his new brothers, Anthony possessed a brilliant intellect and profound scriptural knowledge that would soon be revealed. Anthony's hidden talents came to ligh...