St. Anthony, ora pro nobis!

Picture from Patron Saints Index



Sorry I've posted this late...
CT, Mom, and many other bloggers have wonderful prayers for yesterday's feast. Ms. Micki also has a lovely holy card of St. Anthony.
Composing prayers aren't what I do best... :-)


...but I was able to dig up a really old book report!

The wondrous account of St. Anthony and the Christ Child by Helen Walker Homan describes the exciting life of St. Anthony of Padua in the 13th century. As a child, Anthony was incredibly obedient and tried his best to please God and his parents. Anthony was well liked because of his friendliness and influential sermons. Throughout Anthony’s life, many extraordinary things happened.

When he was a child, Anthony, otherwise known as Fernando, did his best to please God and his elders. Fernando was always eager to aid his father, though the latter rarely let Fernando assist him. Because he was scrawny and undersized, he unenthusiastically drank milk in obedience to her mother’s coaching. Sitting immobile in class was not always simple for Fernando who would preferably be outside running around, but he endured the lessons and learned them. Though desirous of becoming a knight, Fernando optimistically obeyed God instead, and became a priest.

Anthony was an amiable person, an outstanding preacher, and one who could not resist being of assistance. Even when given difficult undertakings, he worked merrily, and was friendly to those who gave him the tasks. People listened with awe, marvel, and admiration as they heard Anthony’s powerful sermons. Since Anthony was the son of a significant governor, he never refused the scores of people who came to ask favors of him. He was always generous to every needy beggar at his door, regardless of how many came.

Numerous miracles occurred during the life of St. Anthony. When one priest forgot to prepare his sermon, Anthony was called to preach in his stead and delivered a brilliant homily. Having tried his best to preach to the people but to no avail, Anthony ended up preaching to the school of fishes that listened. One night, the lord of the castle that Anthony was staying at was astonished when he saw that Anthony was holding the Child Jesus in his arms! When St. Anthony was canonized, the bells of the church miraculously rang, singing of the amazing life of St. Anthony of Padua.


I wonder though...
Since St. Anthony is the saint to pray to when you've lost something, shouldn't we ask him intercede for those who have lost their faith? Or maybe their trust in God? Or their hope?