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Saint Anthony is often petitioned to restore what is lost. More importantly he is the patron saint of the poor and oppressed. He is also patron saint of Portugal and of American Indians. Fishermen and other seafarers, travellers, harvests and animals also come under the patronage of Saint Anthony.
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Saint Anthony was born in Lisbon in Portugal in 1195. He was the son of wealthy parents who had him christened Ferdinand. When he was 15 years old he joined the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine, in the convent of Saint Vincent, just outside the city walls (1210). In order to study and pray in more seclusion he moved to the Convent of Santa Croce in Cóimbra. While he was there the bodies of the first Franciscan martyrs, killed in Morocco while preaching the Faith, and brought to Santa Croce for burial. Ferdinand was inspired by their story. He decided to join the Friars Minor so that he too could preach and suffer for Christ. Having received permission he became a Franciscan, taking the new name of Anthony. He was prevented by shipwreck on the coast of Sicily from going to Morrocco to preach to the Saracen. He remained in Italy living a life of solitude and penance. Then one day he was asked to preach because at a nearby monastery and spoke with such fervour and understanding of the Scriptures that all were amazed. His fame spread. He became known as a profoundly learned man, inspired by God who also gave him the power to perform miracles. He could no longer live in retirement. He resumed his original mission, to preach the Faith. He did much of his holy work in and around Padua, hence he is known today as St Anthony of Padua. Exhausted by years of preaching and travel, Anthony died in 1231 AD at the age of 36 and was canonized one year later. In 1946 A. D. Saint Anthony was declared a Doctor of the Church.
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