Saint Anthony of Padua

[Patricia]

Excerpt from 'Mystics and miracles'  by Bert Ghezzi

To this day, many people pray to St. Anthony to help them find something they have lost.  Perhaps the custom has its roots in the following miracle.  A Franciscan novice at the Montpellier house where Anthony lived, decided to abandon the order.  As he left the house, he took one of the saint's valuable manuscripts, a glossary on the psalms.  The youth probably hoped to sell it to cover the cost of his escape.  When Anthony missed the text, he prayed for its return.  In a short time the novice, pale with fear, ran back into the house.  Repentant, he returned the book and confessed his wrongdoing to Anthony.  He claimed that a monstrous image had blocked his passage on a bridge and threatened mayhem if he did not return the glossary.  Anthony forgave the young man, who reconsidered his decision to leave and remained with the friars.

[Patricia]

The Freedom of Poverty

Poverty is an easy way to God.
     Poverty is the mother of humility. It is as difficult to preserve humility amid riches as purity in the midst of delights and luxury.
     Poverty sets free. When a person delights in and gloats over his possessions, in reality he limits, even loses his freedom.  The mania of riches has enslaved him.  He is lowered in status, being no longer the owner but the owned.  He has subordinated himself to his goods.
     Such servile subjection becomes evident in the fever that dominates him and the anguish that racks him when he loses some of his possessions.  In short, true liberty is not found except in voluntary poverty.
     Poverty is true riches.  So precious is poverty that God's Only-Begotten Son came on earth in search of it.  In heaven he had superabundance of all goods.  Nothing was lacking there but poverty.

~~~~ St. Anthony of Padua

[Patricia]

The saints are like the stars. In his providence Christ conceals them in a hidden place that they may not shine before others when they might wish to do so. Yet they are always ready to exchange the quiet of contemplation for the works of mercy as soon as they perceive in their heart the invitation of Christ.

-- Saint Anthony of Padua

[Jacki]

St. Anthony is the best. Ever since I was a little girl I have lost hundreds of things and everytime I pray for his help, I find it. I remember a couple times in my life, I would look everywhere for an important item, I would start to pray and I would find (keys, passport, ID, whatever) in a pocket or place I looked thousands of times before a few moments later.
He truly is a miracle worker.

[Shin]

St. Anthony is the best. Ever since I was a little girl I have lost hundreds of things and everytime I pray for his help, I find it. I remember a couple times in my life, I would look everywhere for an important item, I would start to pray and I would find (keys, passport, ID, whatever) in a pocket or place I looked thousands of times before a few moments later.
He truly is a miracle worker.

Yes isn't he absolutely splendid! He can find all sorts of things! I think he also helps people find answers to questions to, if you ask!