St. Anthony of
Padua
Patron Saint
of Lost Things
Saint Anthony of Padua is the patron Saint of lost
things. Nearly everywhere, St. Anthony is asked to intercede with God for the
return of things lost or stolen. Those who feel very familiar with him may pray,
"Tony, Tony, turn around. Something's lost and must be found."
St. Anthony is traditionally invoked for
help with finding lost things because of an incident that occurred in his own
life. According to legend, Anthony had a book of psalms (psalter) that was very
important to him. Besides the value of any book before the invention of
printing, the psalter had the notes and comments he had made to use in teaching
students in his Franciscan Order.
A novice who had grown tired of living a
religious life decided to leave the community. In addition to going AWOL, he
took Anthony's psalter! When Anthony realized his psalter was missing, he prayed
for its safe return. Soon after Anthony's prayer, the thief felt compelled to
return the psalter to Anthony as well as return to the Order which accepted him
back.
Oral tradition has a much more colorful
version of this story. In this version, the novice was stopped in his tracks by
a horrible devil brandishing an ax and threatening to trample him underfoot if
he did not immediately return the book. Obviously, in Christian tradition a
devil would hardly command anyone to do something good. But the core of the
story would seem to be true. And the stolen book is said to be preserved in the
Franciscan friary in Bologna.
In any event, shortly after Anthony's
death people began praying through him to find or recover lost and stolen
articles. And the Responsory of St. Anthony composed by his contemporary, Julian
of Spires, O.F.M., proclaims, "The sea obeys and fetters break/And lifeless
limbs thou dost restore/While treasures lost are found again/When young or old
thine aid implore."
In Portugal, Italy, France and Spain,
St. Anthony is the patron saint of sailors and fishermen. According to some
biographers, his statue is sometimes placed in a shrine on the ship's mast. And
the sailors sometimes scold him if he doesn't respond quickly enough to their
prayers.
Not only those who travel the seas but
also other travelers and vacationers pray that they may be kept safe because of
Anthony's intercession.
Interesting Magickal FAQS
An amulet of St Anthony can consist of his image.
If you wish something returned to you, turn an
image of St. Anthony upside down by a St. Anthony candle. Carry the amulet and
pray to St Anthony until your request is granted.
If you desire money, each week offer Saint Anthony
a loaf of bread.
Light an anointed Saint Anthony Candle while you
soak in Special Favor Bath. Anoint the amulet with Saint Anthony oil and place
it under your pillow. Pray yourself to sleep, asking St Anthony to fulfill your
request. Anoint yourself daily with Saint Anthony perfume.
Chaplet of St.
Anthony
This chaplet is composed of
thirteen decades of three
beads each. On the first bead of each decade is said the
Our Father, on the second the Hail Mary, and on the
third the Glory be to the Father. At the end the
Miraculous Responsory is recited.
The Miraculous Responsory (by St.
Bonaventure)
If miracles thou vain would see;
Lo, error, death, calamity.
The leprous stain, the demon flies,
From beds of pain the sick arise.
The hungry seas forgo their prey,
The prisoner's cruel chains give way;
While palsied limbs and chattels lost
Both young and old recovered boast.
And perils perish, plenty's hoard,
Is heaped on hunger's famished board;
Let those relate who know it well,
Let Padua of her patron tell.
The hungry seas forgo their prey,...
Glory be the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
The hungry seas forgo their prey,...
V. Pray for us, blessed Anthony,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us Pray
O God, let the notive commemoration of
Blessed Anthony, Thy confessor, be a source
of joy in Thy Church, that she may always be
fortified with spiritual assistance, and may
deserve to possess eternal joy. Through Christ
our Lord. Amen
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