Wisdom Satu: Saint of the Day - 2013 St. Anthony Feast

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Saint of the Day - 2013 St. Anthony Feast - A Message from Fr. Dan

Friday, June 13, 2013

2013 St. Anthony Feast – A Message from Fr. Dan

On June 13 we celebrate the feast of St. Anthony of Padua (1195 – 1231). He was born into nobility in Lisbon, Portugal and given the name Ferdinand. His family saw to it that he was well-educated. He entered the Augustinian order, but deeply inspired by the martyrdom of several Franciscan missionaries in Morocco, he joined the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor and took the new name of Anthony. He was a spellbinding preacher and nicknamed "The Hammer of the Heretics" due to his zealous preaching against the Albigensian and other heresies. Many miraculous events have been attributed to Anthony, but he's best known as the finder of lost or stolen things. According to legend, a novice who'd planned to leave the religious life stole Anthony's beloved book of psalms. When Anthony prayed for its return, the novice returned the psalter and even decided to rejoin the order.

Anthony's short life was fascinating. Do you want to learn more? Read Saint Anthony of Padua: His Life, Legends and Devotions by Fr. Jack Wintz, O.F.M. As the patron saint of our magazine, St. Anthony Messenger, Anthony inspires us daily. If you'd like to inspire someone, why not send a St. Anthony e-card? These and other e-cards are available at CatholicGreetings.org.

Our digital ministry takes many forms. Thanks to your support we offer a first-rate website, AmericanCatholic.org. We maintain an active social media presence through our Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages, and our book titles are now in e-book form with many also available as audiobooks. In March, St. Anthony Messenger itself became available in digital format, joining Liberty+Vine.

Please help us continue the work of evangelization in the spirit of St. Anthony of Padua. Would you consider donating $50, $75, $100 or more? Your tax-deductible donation in any amount helps us pay the costs of touching thousands each day with the Good News of the Gospel.

Use our secure online donation form or mail a donation payable to the Franciscans, Franciscan Media, 28 W. Liberty St., Cincinnati, OH 45202. If you prefer, you may phone in a credit-card donation for our evangelization ministries at 513-241-5615 or, in the U.S., 800-488-0488.

Peace and every blessing,
Fr. Dan Kroger, O.F.M.
Publisher, Franciscan Media