Saint Anthony of Padua, born Fernando Martins de Bulhões in 1195 in Lisbon, Portugal, gave up a privileged life to join the new Franciscan order. There he found his calling as a teacher, preacher and miracle worker who revived the Catholic faith across Italy and southern France. Canonized within a year of his death at age 36, Saint Anthony became linked to a wealth of legends involving lost items and missing persons.
From Augustinian Monk to Franciscan Friar
Born to a wealthy family in Portugal’s capital, young Fernando Martins de Bulhões seemed destined for a life of privilege. Yet at the tender age of 15, he entered the Augustinian monastery in Lisbon, drawn by a spiritual calling over worldly comforts. What followed was a period of frustration and soul searching. Monastery life offered little peace for prayer and contemplation as visiting family and friends frequently disrupted Fernando’s days with chatter.
Seeking reprieve, he transferred to a remote Augustian hermitage where he vigorously studied theology for nine years. By this time likely ordained a priest, Fernando seemed settled into his religious vocation. That is until five beheaded bodies returned to the monastery, those of Franciscan friars martyred for preaching in Morocco. Deeply moved, Fernando shockingly sought permission to leave the Augustinian order to join the risky Franciscan mission.
While Fernando’s request to immediately enter Muslim lands was denied, church authorities sympathized enough to release him. In 1220, at age 25, he donned the simple wool tunic tied with rope worn by all Franciscans, taking the name Anthony out of devotion to Saint Anthony the Great. As romantic as Anthony’s visions of winning martyrdom seemed, God had other plans for his newly minted Franciscan. Deadly illness aborted his first attempt to sail to Muslim territory; a storm blowing his ship wildly off course. Anthony ultimately returned to Italy where winding paths delivered him right into the arms of his new Franciscan brothers.
Saint Anthony of Padua: Miracle Worker and Hammer of Heretics
Anthony’s new Franciscan brothers quickly discovered hidden talents lurking within the humble friar. Though appearing uneducated, Anthony possessed encyclopedic knowledge of theology and Scripture. When pressed into delivering a sermon at an ordination ceremony, his simple yet fiery words lit a blaze that caught the attention of founder Francis himself. Francis sanctioned Anthony to teach theology to other Franciscans, hoping to ignite souls without extinguishing their spiritual devotion.
For the next decade, Anthony crisscrossed Italy and France preaching with courage before rapt crowds in city squares and open fields. His sermons resonated not only due to his vocal fireworks, but his chosen life of poverty reflecting Christ’s humility. As the “Hammer of Heretics,” Anthony struck blows against rising heretical movements through positive promotion of Church theology rather than direct attacks. His reputation as Miracle Worker also grew. When a unfortunate child drowned in Padua’s river, its grieving mother’s prayers to Anthony appeared answered when the boy revived. And travelers still pray protections over their journeys due to legends telling of Anthony quelling vicious storms at sea.
Anthony retreated from public preaching in early 1231 as poor health sank in. Taking refuge in a simple hut near Padua and sensing death approaching, locals report him staring intensely at a mysterious vision with his last moments. Some believe Jesus appeared with Mary and angels greeting Anthony into Heaven. Regardless of the truth, we feel certain Anthony died focusing his loving gaze upon the divine beauty he lived completely to serve.
In his brief yet brilliant 36 years, Saint Anthony of Padua managed to revive waning Catholic faith across Europe. By relinquishing privilege to serve the poor in Saint Francis’ order, he reflected Christ’s own humility. Through courageous preaching grounded in scriptural authority and public miracles, this “Hammer of Heretics” won back souls drifting from the Church. Eight centuries later, his loving patronage over those lost or seeking life’s purpose continues. And his example stands eternally as a testament to the power of wholehearted spiritual service to spark burning inspiration that lights the world.
References
McDannell, Colleen. Religions of the United States in Practice, Volume 1. Princeton University Press, 2018.
Lucchini, Francesco. “The Making of a Legend: The Reliquary of the Tongue and the Representation of St. Anthony of Padua as a Preacher.” In Franciscans and Preaching, edited by Timothy J Johnson, Brill, 2005, pp. 451–483.
Foley, Leonard. Saint Anthony of Padua. Saint Anthony Messenger Press, 1990.
Perry, N. (1999). Saint Anthony of Padua: The story of his life and popular devotions. St. Anthony Messenger Press.
Thurston, Herbert, and Attwater, Donald, eds. Butler’s Lives of the Saints, revised edition (Christian Classics, 1981).