Saints, Feast, Family
- Traditions passed down with Cooking, Crafting, & Caring -
June 13
Saint of the day:
Saint Anthony of Padua
Patron Saint of Lost Things, Poor, Travelers, Treehouse living....
lost people, lost souls, finding one's spouse, American Indians; amputees; animals; barrenness; Brazil; elderly people; faith in the Blessed Sacrament; fishermen; Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land; harvests; horses; lower animals; mail; mariners; oppressed people; poor people; Portugal; pregnant women; shipwrecks; starvation; sterility; swineherds; Tigua Indians; travel hostesses; Watermen; runts of litters; counter-revolutionaries; Pila, Laguna; Taytay, Rizal; Iriga, Camarines Sur; Camaligan, Camarines Sur; Tuburan, Cebu; Cusco, Peru
(https://soundcloud.com/user-84758912-221844386/ep-23-st-anthony-of-padua)
Saint Anthony's Story
He was born into a wealthy family and by the age of fifteen asked to be sent to the Abbey of Santa Cruz in Coimbra, the then capital of Portugal. During his time in the Abbey, he learned theology and Latin.
Following his ordination to the priesthood, he was named guestmaster and was responsible for the abbey's hospitality. When Franciscan friars settled a small hermitage outside Coimbra dedicated to Saint Anthony of Egypt, Fernando felt a longing to join them.
Fernando eventually received permission to leave the Abbey so he could join the new Franciscan Order. When he was admitted, he changed his name to Anthony.
Anthony then traveled to Morocco to spread God's truth, but became extremely sick and was returned to Portugal to recover. The return voyage was blown off-course and the party arrived in Sicily, from which they traveled to Tuscany. Athony was assigned to the hermitage of San Paolo after local friars considered his health.
As he recovered, Anthony spent his time praying and studying.
An undetermined amount of time later, Dominican friars came to visit the Franciscans and there was confusion over who would present the homily. The Dominicans were known for their preaching, thus the Franciscans assumed it was they who would provide a homilist, but the Dominicans assumed the Franciscans would provide one. It was then the head of the Franciscan hermitage asked Anthony to speak on whatever the Holy Spirit told him to speak of.
Though he tried to object, Anthony delivered an eloquent and moving homily that impressed both groups. Soon, news of his eloquence reached Francis of Assisi, who held a strong distrust of the brotherhood's commitment to a life of poverty. However, in Anthony, he found a friend.
In 1224, Francis entrusted his friars' pursuits of studies to Anthony. Anthony had a book of psalms that contained notes and comments to help when teaching students and, in a time when a printing press was not yet invented, he greatly valued it.
When a novice decided to leave the hermitage, he stole Anthony's valuable book. When Anthony discovered it was missing, he prayed it would be found or returned to him. The thief did return the book and in an extra step returned to the Order as well.
The book is said to be preserved in the Franciscan friary in Bologna today.
Anthony occasionally taught at the universities of Montpellier and Toulouse in southern France, but he performed best in the role of a preacher.
So simple and resounding was his teaching of the Catholic Faith, most unlettered and the innocent could understand his messages. It is for this reason he was declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII in 1946.
Once, when St. Anthony of Padua attempted to preach the true Gospel of the Catholic Church to heretics who would not listen to him, he went out and preached his message to the fish. This was not, as liberals and naturalists have tried to say, for the instruction of the fish, but rather for the glory of God, the delight of the angels, and the easing of his own heart. When critics saw the fish begin to gather, they realized they should also listen to what Anthony had to say.
He was only 36-years-old when he died and was canonized less than one year afterward by Pope Gregory IX. Upon exhumation some 336 years after his death, his body was found to be corrupted, yet his tongue was totally incorrupt, so perfect were the teachings that had been formed upon it.
He is typically depicted with a book and the Infant Child Jesus and is commonly referred to today as the "finder of lost articles."
St Anthony is venerated all over the world as the Patron Saint for lost articles, and is credited with many miracles involving lost people, lost things and even lost spiritual goods.
http://www.stanthonyfinderoflove.com/About_St_Anthony.html
https://www.stanthony.org/st-anthony-of-padua/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_of_Padua
http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=24
https://www.stanthony.org/celebrating-st-anthonys-feast-day/
https://franciscanmissionassoc.org/support-our-work/st-anthonys-bread/
https://www.tripsavvy.com/feast-of-st-anthony-in-portugal-1863393
http://www.all-about-portugal.com/saint-anthony-of-lisbon-celebrations/
http://light-travels.co/the-complete-guide-to-st-anthonys-festival-in-lisbon/
I love this artist, she is amazing.
https://theophilia.deviantart.com/
Prayer:
Visit:
St Anthony of Padua
(d. 1231, Padua, Italy) (Relics: Padua, Italy)
Basilica di Sant’Antonio da Padova
(Basilica of Saint Anthony of Padua)
Piazza del Santo 11
35123 Padova, Italy
*The tomb of St Anthony of Padua rests within a chapel on the left side of the nave. His tomb was opened in 1981 and contains the bones of the saint.
*Within the apse of the church is the Treasury Chapel. This chapel contains three niches. The central niche preserves three important relics of St Anthony of Padua. These include his lower jaw, his incorrupt tongue, and cartilage from his larynx. All three of these relics are used in speech and reflect the saint’s great ability as a preacher.
Traditions:
All over the world there are numerous traditions and beliefs dedicated to Saint Anthony. It is believed that he can help in finding of lost objects. Saint Anthony travelled a lot. Many people pray to him to keep them safe on their journeys. That is why some sailors keep the statue of the saint on the mast of their ship.
The Portuguese capital Lisbon celebrates its patron saint in the night between the 12th and 13th of June. Sardines prepared in every possible way are the delicacy of the festival. Beautiful bonfires can be seen everywhere. According to locals the hottest parties are in the Alfma district.
Do not miss the big parade known as the “Marchas Popolares” which is held in the Avenue Liberdade. Parade includes people in colourful clothes, different bands and floats. There are convertible cars with many woman wearing bridal gowns. They are called “brides of Saint Anthony”. Also on the same day couples of the lower income can get married for free in the City Hall.
The feast of Saint Anthony of Padua is the most important event in the life of Anacapri, Italy. There are two statues of the saint in this town. One of them is in the parish church of Saint Sofia. There is also a half-bust which is carried in the procession held in the afternoon of the 12th of June.
During whole route there are small beautifully decorated altars. People living in houses along the route prepare trays full of flowers called Guantiere. Flowers are thrown on the procession. The statue is taken to the crossing in the centre of the town. It is placed on the special altar. It stays there for two weeks.
Matchmaker:
Love
Among single people he is sometimes known as the matchmaker. On the evening of his feast day a woman should fill her mouth with water. She must not swallow it until she hears the name of the man she is going to marry.
The next rite is slightly more complicated. You have to fill a little bowl with water. Write down names of guys you like on pieces of paper. Roll up each piece and put it in the bowl. Place the bowl under your bed. In the morning check the bowl. The name written on the paper which gets opened will be your ideal match.
For the next tradition popular in Sicily you will need a blessed Saint Anthony medal and a red ribbon. Women or men then write the preferred character qualities of the future partner. The medal is put on the paper. Finally everything is tied with a piece of red ribbon. On the saint's feast day tiny package is hidden in the church. The person should then pray the novena to Saint Anthony. On each of nine days she or he should light a small white candle.
Let's continue with one rather bizarre tradition. According to it a woman has to bury or just place the saint's statue upside down and that way blackmail the saint to tell her who is going to be her future husband.
St. Anthony is revered as the “Saint of Miracles” and is most commonly credited with helping believers find lost objects. For hundreds of years St. Anthony has also been honored as the miracle worker who can assist those who invoke his name in finding true love. In legends and rituals dating back centuries, seekers have petitioned St. Anthony’s assistance in their quest to find their soul mates.
Some of the most famous rituals involve praying a prayer to St. Anthony every Tuesday while burning orange candles in front of his statue. Another legend promotes that the most effective way to find a life partner is by placing thirteen identical coins around the base of the statue of St. Anthony, and while praying, walking around the statue thirteen times (His Feast Day is June 13).
Saint Anthony's brides:
(mass marriages) held during the mid-June St. Anthony's Day celebrations.
Because of St. Anthony's history of being invoked by single women in search of a husband, today is a good day for single people who have a vocation to marriage to make a visit to a church or shrine dedicated to St. Anthony! In Lisbon, his birthplace, it is a traditional day for getting married (women who get married on this day are called "brides of St. Anthony"). So popular are weddings on this day in Lisbon, that the city hall hosts them for free if the couple are poor.
Finding lost things:
St. Anthony is revered as the “Saint of Miracles” and is most commonly credited with helping believers find lost objects. For hundreds of years
St. Anthony has also been honored as the miracle worker who can assist those who invoke his name in finding true love. In legends and rituals dating back centuries, seekers have petitioned St. Anthony’s assistance in their quest to find their soul mates.
Some of the most famous rituals involve praying a prayer to St. Anthony every Tuesday while burning orange candles in front of his statue. Another legend promotes that the most effective way to find a life partner is by placing thirteen identical coins around the base of the statue of St. Anthony, and while praying, walking around the statue thirteen times (His Feast Day is June 13).
Still another well- known ritual requires the seeker to place the statue of St. Anthony on its head, and setting the statue upright only upon receiving the answer to your prayer of finding your true love. Finally, the simple act of setting the statue of St. Anthony in a place of honor and praying daily for his intercession is probably the most common practice of all.
However you choose to ask the divine St. Anthony to intercede on your behalf in finding your soul mate is up to you. Our human spirit gives power to myths and legends. Rituals enhance our lives and allow us to be active participants in the achievement of a desired goal. Enjoy the process! Believe in the power of prayer.
There are other stories, like that of a very beautiful girl who could not find a husband and turned to St. Anthony. He acquired an image of the saint and placed it in a small corner reserved for prayer. Every day she picked flowers and offered them to the saint, always asking her to find her a husband. Weeks, months and years passed, and the boy did not appear.
In spite of regret at the saint's lack of gratitude, the girl pulled the statuette from the window. At that moment a young knight was passing under his house, who was struck by the image of the saint, took it and returned it to the girl, who fell in love with him. In the end they got married.
Believe in the power. Believe in miracles. Believe in love
As a symbol of affection, people present each other with little pots of basil (manjerico) and paper carnations on which they write poems.
The Blessing of Lilies on the Feast of St. Anthony:
Customs of the Day
On the Feast of this most wonderful of Saints, your priest might bless lilies for you to keep (this isn't a universal practice). The blessing of lilies, which remind us of St. Anthony's purity and have always been a symbol for him, stems from a miracle which took place in Revolutionary France: many priests and religious were murdered, so many churches and convents destroyed, but the faithful still showed up at a surviving church on the Feast of St. Anthony. Months later, it was discovered that lilies that had adorned the church at that feast were still fresh. Let the lilies beautify your house, or carry them with you, or press them in a book, etc. If your priest doesn't bless lilies, you can still use them non-sacramentally to remind you of one of the greatest Saints ever. The English of the Blessing of the Lilies is as follows:
The Blessing of Lilies on the Feast of St. Anthony
The priest vests in surplice and white stole, and says:
P:Our help is in the name of the Lord.
All:Who made heaven and earth.
P:The Lord be with you.
All:And with thy spirit.
P:Let us pray. God, the Creator and Preserver of the human race, the Lover of holy purity, the Giver of supernatural grace, and the Dispenser of everlasting salvation; bless + these lilies which we, Thy humble servants, present to Thee today as an act of thanksgiving and in honor of St. Anthony, Thy confessor, and with a request for Thy blessing. Pour out on them, by the saving sign + of the holy cross, Thy dew from on high. Thou in Thy great kindness hast given them to man, and endowed them with a sweet fragrance to lighten the burden of the sick. Therefore, let them be filled with such power that, whether they are used by the sick, or kept in homes or other places, or devoutly carried on one's person, they may serve to drive out evil spirits, safeguard holy chastity, and turn away illness--all this through the prayers of St. Anthony--and finally impart to Thy servants grace and peace; through Christ our Lord.
All:Amen.
Then he sprinkles the lilies with holy water, saying:
P:Sprinkle me with hyssop, Lord, and I shall be clean of sin. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Pray for us, St. Anthony.
All:That we may be worthy of Christ's promise.
P:Let us pray. We beg Thee, O Lord, that Thy people may be helped by the constant and devout intercession of Blessed Anthony, Thy illustrious confessor. May he assist us to be worthy of Thy grace in this life, and to attain everlasting joys in the life to come; through Christ our Lord.
All:Amen.
After this the lilies are distributed to the people.
Blessings:
In some parishes, chapels, or countries, animals might be blessed today as they are also sometimes blessed on the Feasts of St. Anthony Abbot and of
St. Francis of Assisi.
Note: Because St. Anthony was buried on a Tuesday and many miracles accompanied his funeral, Tuesdays are special days of honoring him throughout the year. It is customary to pray a Novena to him on thirteen consecutive Tuesdays.
Many devotees write to Saint Anthony. Many devotees want to leave a note, a prayer, a plea, a message, addressed to Saint Anthony. Through these messages they demonstrate their trust in the Saint, a trust that knows no boundaries of language or nation.
Inside the Basilica, the faithful will find a special form to be filled in so that they may entrust to Saint Anthony what they most need. Once written, it is left on the Tomb of St. Anthony. One can even bring a prayer card on behalf of those who cannot come to the Basilica, especially if ill or alone. The prayers to saint Anthony can ever be sent by mail or through a dedicated web page.
Even if you can't visit the Basilica, it is possible to write a message or a prayer to Saint Anthony through this special webform.
Your intentions will be entrusted to the community of the friars at Saint Anthony's Basilica. The friars will place your intentions on the tomb of Saint Anthony and pray for you and with you. They will ask God to grant you the assistance you need through the intercession of Saint Anthony.
His Bread:
'"Pane dei Poveri" (Bread for the Poor)
Another custom on this day is known as "St. Anthony's Bread" and goes back to A.D. 1263 when a child drowned near the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua as it was still being built. The mother besought St. Anthony and promised that if her child were restored to life, she would give to the poor an amount of wheat equal to the weight of her child. Of course her son was saved, and her promise was kept. "St. Anthony's Bread," then, is the promise of giving alms in return for a favor asked of God through St. Anthony's intercession (the custom also takes place throughout the year when parents give alms after placing their baby under the patronage of St. Anthony). In some places, the custom has a literal parallel in that loaves of bread might be blessed and given away at church or, generally, to the poor.
Like so many feasts dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua the procession in Anacapri includes the Bread of Saint Anthony. These small bread rolls are given by kids in special clothes.
For this day, prepare the bread and offer it to the faithful present, to relatives and neighbors.
Pane di Sant'Antonio da Padova
Ingredients:
-
1 kg of manitoba flour;
-
20 grams of salt; (I put 15 gr)
-
100 gr of lard;
-
100g of sugar;
-
25 gr of yeast; (I used baking powder)
-
500 grams of water;
-
10 gr of improver; (I used barley malt)
Directions:
-
Mix all the ingredients in order to obtain a smooth soft dough (about 10 minutes).
-
Work the dough for another 5 minutes by hand. Divide the dough into rounds of 60 grams
each form the rolls and practice a small cross, let rise for 3-4 hours. -
Bake in preheated oven at 180 degrees for about 20/25 minutes.
-
Until they are browned.
The results are Super Super Soft!
Note: they remain soft even for 2-3 days. They can be filled or used as sandwiches for hot dogs, hamburgers ... and to make them delicious with nutella.
A Multitude of Fish:
Legend has it: While in Rimini, on the Adriatic coast of Italy, Saint Anthony encountered some difficulty in getting the local population to listen to him. Somewhat dejected, he went down to the shore, where the river Ariminus runs into the sea, and began to speak to the fishes.
A Multitude of Fishes!
No sooner had he spoken a few words when suddenly so great a multitude of fish, both small and great, approached the bank on which he stood.
All the fish kept their heads out of the water, and seemed to be looking attentively on St Anthony's face; all were arranged in perfect order and most peacefully, the smaller ones in front near the bank, after them came those a little bigger, and last of all, were the water was deeper, the largest.
As he continued speaking, the fish began to open their mouths and bow their heads, endeavoring as much as was in their power to express their reverence. The people of the city, hearing of the miracle, made haste to witness it.
To be frank, sardines RUN St. Anthony’s festival. You have not properly honered Santo Antonio unless you’ve consumed at least 5 grilled sardines!
They’re smoky, salty, charred and SO delicious, as well as incredibly cheap so go sardine crazy when you’re here!!
Other classic festival eats include bifanas (grilled pork sandwiches), whole-grilled chourizo sausages, fried croquettes, pastel de nata (egg custard pastries- so yummy ), and a plethora of different fattening and delicious desserts like nutella-filled churros and waffles smothered in chocolate.
The Novena:
The Tredicina (The Thirteen-Day Novena)
Day 1
O Lord, You have made Saint Anthony an apostle of the Gospel. Grant us, through his intercession, a strong and humble faith and make our lives coherent with the creed that we profess. (MENTION PRAYER REQUEST)
Glory be to the Father…
Day 2
O God Almighty, You have made Saint Anthony a constructor of peace and fraternal charity. Look upon the victims of violence and war. Grant that in this confused world full of tensions, we may become courageous witnesses of non-violence, promoting human life and peace. (MENTION PRAYER REQUEST)
Glory be to the Father…
Day 3
O God, you have granted Saint Anthony the gift of healing and performing miracles. Grant us health of soul and body. Grant serenity and solace to those who have asked for our prayers and make us always ready to serve the sick, the elderly and the distressed. (MENTION PRAYER REQUEST)
Glory be to the Father…
Day 4
O Lord, You made Saint Anthony an untiring preacher of the Gospels along mankind's many paths. In your Fatherly mercy protect the homeless, refugees and emigrants; keep them safe from every danger and guide their steps along the path of peace. (MENTION PRAYER REQUEST)
Glory be to the Father…
Day 5
O God Almighty, You granted Saint Anthony the power to reunite severed limbs. Reunite all Christians in your One and Holy Church, and grant that we may all live the mystery of unity, thus becoming one heart and one soul. (MENTION PRAYER REQUEST)
Glory be to the Father…
Day 6
O Lord Jesus, You made Saint Anthony a great master of spiritual life. Grant us the ability to renew our lives according to the teachings of the Gospel and the beatitudes, and make us promoters of spiritual life for our brothers and sisters. (MENTION PRAYER REQUEST)
Glory be to the Father…
Day 7
O Jesus, You granted Saint Anthony the incomparable grace of holding you as a child in his arms. Bless our children, and grant that they may grow in goodness and in health and that they may live their lives in the fear of God. (MENTION PRAYER REQUEST)
Glory be to the Father…
Day 8
O Merciful Jesus, You granted Saint Anthony the wisdom and gifts necessary to guide souls to holiness through his preaching and priestly ministry. Grant that we may approach the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the great gift of your love, w/ humility and faith. (MENTION PRAYER REQUEST)
Glory be to the Father…
Day 9
O Holy Spirit, in Saint Anthony you gave the Church and the world a great master of holy doctrine. Grant that all those who work in the sphere of information may feel the great responsibility they have and serve truth in charity and with respect for others. (MENTION PRAYER REQUEST)
Glory be to the Father…
Day 10
O Lord, You are the Lord of the harvest. Through the intercession of Saint Anthony send many worthy religious and priests into your field, fill them with zeal, generosity and your love. (MENTION PRAYER REQUEST)
Glory be to the Father…
Day 11
O Jesus, You called the pope to be a universal pastor, high priest and messenger of truth and peace. Through the intercession of Saint Anthony sustain and console him in his mission. (MENTION PRAYER REQUEST)
Glory be to the Father…
Day 12
O Holy Trinity, You granted Saint Anthony the grace to know, to love and to glorify the Virgin Mary, your Blessed Mother, and our Heavenly Mother, grant that we may grow ever closer to her motherly heart, to better serve, love and glorify you, who are love itself. (MENTION PRAYER REQUEST)
Glory be to the Father…
Day 13
O Lord, You allowed Saint Anthony to meet sister death with a serene soul. Direct our lives towards you, assist the dying and grant eternal peace to the souls of our departed brothers and sisters. (MENTION PRAYER REQUEST)
Glory be to the Father…
The Feast:
Can you tell that this feast is much loved in Italy & Portugal!
The Feast:
Boston's North End Saint Anthony’s feast is called the feast of all feast!
It is celebrated after his feast date on or around August 26th - 29th
Did he live in a tree?
In the last year of his life, Saint Anthony of Padua admired a walnut tree and his fellow friars built a treehouse to use as a place of prayer and contemplation as well as preaching to the flock. St. Anthony had to slow down to due to suffering with edema, which made the treehouse and wonderful place for healing and meeting with others. It was also during this last year of his life that he was seen talking with the Child Jesus in his arms.
Visit:
Chiesa Sant'Antonio da Padova (Church)
Via Vittorio Emanuele, 202, 95040 Motta Sant'Anastasia CT, Italy (Sicily)
If you look carefully the front of the church is of St. Antony in a tree. This church is a 3-D work of art.
