Born to a wealthy Portuguese family in the late 12th century, Fernando Martins de Bulhoes asked to be sent to the Abbey at Santa Cruz at the age of fifteen.

There, he studied theology and Latin, and following his ordination, was given the responsibility of providing the Abbey’s hospitality. 

When some Franciscan Friars built a small hermitage nearby, Fernando felt a longing to go with them. After joining the Franciscan order which was dedicated to St. Anthony of Egypt, he changed his name to Anthony. 

Anthony traveled to Morocco to spread God’s Word but was sent back to Portugal when he became ill. 

On the trip back, however, Anthony’s ship was blown off course and he instead arrived in Sicily and from there made his way to Tuscany, where he was assigned to a hermitage in San Paolo. 

During his stay there, Dominican Friars came to visit the Franciscans and there was some confusion over who would present the homily at mass. 

The head of the hermitage asked Anthony to speak on whatever The Holy Spirit told him to. Anthony delivered an eloquent homily that impressed both groups. 

Word of his great gifts reached St. Francis of Assisi who, in 1244, sent some of his friars to study with him. 

St. Francis also wrote to Anthony, saying: 

“ I am pleased that you teach Sacred Theology to the brothers, providing that, as contained in the Rule, you do not extinguish the spirit of prayer and devotion during study of this kind.” 

At one point, a novice decided to leave the hermitage he stole a valuable book of Anthony’s. Anthony prayed the book would be found. The novice not only returned the book but also returned to the order which is how Anthony became the Patron Saint of lost articles and is credited with countless miracles that continue to this day whenever anyone calls upon him. 

Anthony died at the young age of thirty-five and was Canonized just one year later by Pope Gregory IX. 

His teaching of the Catholic faith was so simple that all could understand him and, so, he was named a Doctor of The Church by Pope Pius XII in 1946. 

St. Anthony of Padua, please pray for us.