St Anthony of Padua

[eschator83]

June 13 is the feast of St Anthony of Padua (1195-1231), a Doctor of the Church despite his short life and few writings except sermons.  He joined Augustinians when very young, but soon asked to join Franciscans after his reverence for a group of young martyrs being returned from Africa.  He traveled to Africa but was sent back to Italy due to severe illness, and was stationed for years in a small hermitage doing menial tasks, but also substantial study of Scripture and prayer.  He became the first friar to teach theology to other friars.  Please pray for us, St Anthony.

[CyrilSebastian]

At the age of fifteen Anthony entered the Augustinian community of Canons Regular of the Order   
of the Holy Cross at the Abbey of Saint Vincent on the outskirts of Lisbon, Portugal.

[CyrilSebastian]

In 1212 Anthony asked to be transferred to the motherhouse of the congregation,   
the Monastery of the Holy Cross of Coimbra, then the capital of Portugal.

[CyrilSebastian]

After his ordination to the priesthood, Anthony was named guestmaster at the age of 19.   
He was placed in charge of hospitality for the abbey.