St. Anthony of Padua

Today, we remember and honor St. Anthony of Padua. He is a beloved Franciscan Saint. He is most known as patron of lost items. Most people pray to St. Anthony when they can't find their car keys. But St. Anthony can also be prayed to for lost faith, lost people, lost spiritual or material goods. I remember a long time, I was having dinner with my parents. My dad shared with me that he lost his wedding ring. So I told him about praying to St. Anthony. I actually didn't believe it, but people shared that it does happen. He asked St. Anthony for help. In a little while later, he shared that one of my brothers before mowing the lawn, put on the garden gloves, and the wedding ring was inside the gloves.

Let's say that even if we lost something, and we pray to St. Anthony, and we still can't find it. Then what does that mean? Even if we can't find it, but at least we are praying. We are still resorting to prayer. St. Anthony helps us to pray. Prayer is conversation with God, but it also depending upon God for everything. Prayer helps us to be aware of God's presence. He shall be called Emmanuel, which means God is with us.

How did St. Anthony became the patron of lost objects? The story was told that a novice, who had grown tired of the religious life, and as he left, he stole Anthony's breviary (prayer book). St. Anthony prayed for his breviary to be returned, because he had all of his notes he used to teach his students in the breviary. St. Anthony's prayers were answered, and not only did the novice return the book to him, but he rejoined the Franciscan Order. Over time, this story has been changed and altered, but the main idea of the story has stayed the same. St. Anthony's breviary is now held in the Franciscan Friary in Bologna, Italy. Shortly after Anthony's death, people began praying to him, to help them find the lost articles.

The common prayer to St. Anthony is: “Dear St. Anthony, please come around, something is lost and must be found.” There is also a beautiful hymn written by one his contemporaries. It is written: “The sea obeys and fetters break, and lifeless limbs thou dust restore, while treasure lost are found again, when young or old thine aid implore.” This hymn is about neither the forces of nature, nor shackles will hinder anyone's prayers to St. Anthony for a lost object or loved one.

Today, the Lord spoke about the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation. If you bring your gift to the altar, and there recall that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there at the altar, go first and be reconciled with your brother, and then come and offer your gift. In the Eucharist, we have that wonderful opportunity right before communion, to offer each the sign of Christ's peace. Where does Peace come from, but it is from Christ. Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, not as the world gives, do I give it to you.