Emblazened in history with several titles -- Doctor of the Gospel, Hammer of Heretics and Ark of Both Covenants -- it might be surprising to learn that the greatest works in St. Anthony’s life were ones of profound charity. In the early days of the Franciscan order, few monks became priests because of St. Francis’s concern that it would affect their ability to practice humility. But St. Anthony entered the Franciscan order after he had already become a priest in another.
Over time, St. Francis realized that St. Anthony’s gift of words was a blessing to the Franciscans and knew that St. Anthony had no problem maintaining his humility while utilizing this gift. It was St. Anthony who organized a group of monks to join together and work to pay off the debts of fathers and husbands who were in debtor’s prisons so that they might rejoin their families.
The Knight who Became a Saint
Born in Lisbon, Portugal, St. Anthony’s original name was Ferdinand de Bulhoes and was born to a family of knights of the king. Early in his life, he underwent a profound experience that changed his life forever.
His best friend challenged him to a duel over a woman who loved Ferdinand, despite the love of his friend. St. Anthony did not wish to engage in the battle, but his friend insisted and was mortally wounded. St. Anthony prayed through the night hoping for the recovery of his friend, promising God that if he were to restore him to health, that he would become a monk. His friend survived and he became a monk.
Canons of the Regular St. Augustine
Joining the house of St. Augustine in 1212 he was transferred to a priory because friends would visit him including the woman who loved him and wouldn’t let him go. Transferring to the Franciscan order in 1221, he took upon himself the name of Anthony and was sent to preach to the moors. But he had to return because of a profound illness.
Life as a Franciscan
Known as a great preacher, St. Anthony was one of the first Franciscans to not just be a monk but a priest. After a terrible shipwreck which sent St. Anthony and a companion to Padua instead of their original destination wherein he discovered that most of the fathers and men had been taken to debtor’s prisons, leaving women and children at the mercy of a band of hooligans.
St. Anthony and his brothers worked for years to pay off the debts of the fathers of families and bring families back to wholeness. In the end, he converted the man who had put all these families in such a dire situation by his unfair use of interest on money borrowed.
St. Anthony of Padua’s Written Works
Sermons on the Feasts, Sunday Sermons, Sermons in Praise of the Blessed Virgin Mary, The Work of the Gospels of the Year’s Cycle, Sermons Against the Cathari, Oh Gloriosa Domina – a Hymn to the Blessed Virgin Mary – A book was written about St. Anthony of Padua entitled Dialogue Legend which presents 46 miracles purported to have been performed through St. Anthony.
The Twentieth Doctor of the Catholic Church
The Twenty Second Doctor of the Catholic Church
Sources: The 33 Doctors of the Church – By Fr. Christopher Rengers, A Catholic Dictionary – By William Addis, The Writings of the Early Church Fathers (Thirty Eight Volumes): Ante-Nicene, Nicene and Post Nicene – Hendrickson Publishers, Dictionary of Saints – By John J. Delaney, Encyclopedia of Heresies and Heretics – By Chas S. Clifton, A Scholastic Miscellany: Anselm to Ockham – Edited by Eugene R. Fairweather, A Short History of Christian Doctrine: From the First Century to the Present – By Bernhard Lohse
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