St. Anthony of Padua (1195 - 1231) was born in Lisbon Portugal under the name Fernando Martins. From a young age he knew that he needed to live his life according to God's will. At the young age of fifteen he asked to be sent to the Abbey of Santa Cruz in Coimbra, the then capital of Portugal where he learned theology and Latin.Following his ordination to the priesthood, he was named guestmaster and was responsible for the abbey's hospitality. When Franciscan friars settled a small hermitage outside Coimbra dedicated to Saint Anthony of Egypt, Fernando felt a longing to join them. Fernando eventually received permission to leave the Abbey so he could join the new Franciscan Order. When he was admitted, he changed his name to Anthony.
Anthony then traveled to Morocco to spread God's truth, but became extremely sick and was returned to Portugal to recover. The return voyage was blown off-course and the party arrived in Sicily, from which they traveled to Tuscany. Anthony was assigned to the hermitage of San Paolo after local friars considered his health. As he recovered, Anthony spent his time praying and studying.
Once a novice stole Anthony's book and Anthony prayed to God to have it returned. The thief not alone returned the book but also returned to the order.
Once when he preached and people did not listen, St. Anthony started preaching to the fish. The fish gathered around him and seeing this the people started listening to him.
St. Anthony pray for us to find lost things when we intercede for your help.
Patron of: Lost things.
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