St. Anthony - Doctor of the
Church
b. 1195 d. 1231; Feastday: June 13; Patron of the Poor
St. Anthony was born in Portugal, although most of his work was in Italy. He originally
joined the Augustinian order, but he became a Franciscan when he was 26. This was because
of the death of 5 Franciscan protomartyrs in Morocco, North Africa, whose headless and
mutilated bodies had been brought back for burial. St. Anthony also wished to be a martyr,
just like them. He is called the "Hammer of Heretics" because of his simple, and
sometimes, miraculous manner of teaching the Catholic faith. The secret to his success was
simply to repeat the "Holy Name of Mary" when speaking to heretics. St. Anthony
often attracted huge crowds, and was sensationally successful. One day when he found he
was preaching to heretics who would not Listen, he went to preach to the fish, who
Listened attentively, not for their necessity, but for the glory of God. To another
heretic, St. Anthony had a mule (who had been starved for three days) bow before the
Blessed Sacrament, although food was also placed near him. St. Anthony was miraculously
visited by the Infant Jesus, and is commonly referred to today as the "finder of lost
articles." His tongue is incorrupt, and is displayed at the Vatican. He was only 36
when he died.
This information has been
reprinted from Holy Cross' Sunday Bulletins
Holy Cross Catholic Church - Batavia, IL -- Page
Last Updated 03 Apr 2007
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