In 1221 St. Francis
held a general chapter at Assisi; when the others dispersed, there lingered
behind, unknown and neglected, a poor Portuguese friar, resolved to ask for and
to refuse nothing. Nine months later, Fra Antony rose under obedience to preach to the religious
assembled at Forli, when, as the discourse proceeded, "the Hammer of Heretics,"
"the Ark of the Testament," "the eldest son of St. Francis," stood revealed in
all his sanctity, learning, and eloquence before his rapt and astonished
brethren. Devoted from earliest youth to prayer and study among the Canons
Regular, Ferdinand de Bullloens, as his name was in the world, had been stirred,
by the spirit and example of the first five Franciscan martyrs, to put on their
habit and preach the Faith to the Moors in Africa. Denied a martyr's palm, and
enfeebled by sickness, at the age of twenty-seven he was taking silent but
merciless revenge upon himself in the humblest offices of his community. From
this obscurity he was now called forth, and for nine years France, Italy, and
Sicily heard his voice, saw his miracles, and men's hearts turned to God. One
night, when St. Antony was staying with a friend in the city of Padua, his host
saw brilliant rays streaming under the door of the Saint's room, and on looking
through the keyhole he beheld a little Child of marvelous beauty standing upon a
book which lay open upon tile table, and clinging with both arms round Antony's
neck. With an ineffable sweetness he watched the tender caresses of the Saint
and his wondrous Visitor. At last the Child vanished, and Fra Antonio, opening
the door, charged his friend, by the love of Him Whom he has seen, to "tell the
vision to no man" as long as he was alive. Suddenly, in 1231, our
Saint's brief apostolate was closed,
and the voices of children were
heard crying along the streets of Padua, "Our father, St. Antony, is dead." The
following year, the church-bells of Lisbon rang without ringers, while at Rome
one of its sons was inscribed among the Saints of God.
Reflection.--Let us love to pray and labor unseen, and cherish in the secret of our hearts the graces of God and the growth of our immortal souls. Like St. Antony, let us attend to this, and leave the rest to God.
LITANY OF SAINT ANTONY OF PADUA
Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us.
Christ, graciously hear us.
God the Father of Heaven,
Have mercy on us.
God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy on us.
God the Holy Spirit,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Trinity, One God,
Have mercy on us.
Holy Mary, pray for us.
Saint Anthony of Padua, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, glory of the Friars Minor, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, ark of the Testament, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, sanctuary of heavenly wisdom, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, destroyer of worldly wisdom, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, destroyer of worldly vanity, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, conqueror of impurity, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, example of humility, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, lover of the Cross, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, martyr of desire, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, generator of charity, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, zealous for justice, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, terror of infidels, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, model of perfection, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, consoler of the afflicted, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, restorer of lost things, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, defender of innocence, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, liberator of prisoners, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, guide of pilgrims, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, restorer of health, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, performer of miracles, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, restorer of speech to the mute, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, restorer of hearing to the deaf, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, restorer of sight to the blind, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, disperser of devils, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, reviver of the dead, pray for us.
Saint Anthony, tamer of tyrants, pray for us.
From the snares of the devil, Saint Anthony, deliver us.
From thunder, lightning and storms, Saint Anthony, deliver us.
From all evil of body and soul, Saint Anthony, deliver us.
Through thine intercession, Saint Anthony, protect us.
Throughout the course of life, Saint Anthony, protect us.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Spare us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Graciously hear us, O Lord.
Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world,
Have mercy on us.
V. Saint Anthony, pray for us,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let Us Pray
O my God, may the pious commemoration of Saint Anthony, Thy confessor and doctor, give joy to Thy Church, that she may ever be strengthened with Thy spiritual assistance, and merit to attain everlasting joy.
Through Christ Our Lord. R. Amen.