My Bride invokes Saint Anthony of Padua all the time: “Dear St. Anthony please come around [name what is lost] is lost and it cannot be found” . I cannot recall him being called upon in vain.
He had a brief life, only for 35 years, but he was ever attended by miracles. As a Franciscan monk in the generation following Saint Francis he attracted vast crowds to hear his sermons and rapidly became a favorite of the common people of Italy. He was canonized less than a year after his death due to his miracles and the conviction of almost all who heard him preach that he was a messenger sent by God. In 1946 Pope Pius XII proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church.
A very great Saint who helps us find lost items. He carries out the commands of the God who “Marks the sparrow’s fall.”
I feel the same about St. Anthony. There are times when I am astounded at how quickly he acts and shows me what was lost! St. Anthony, pray for us.
My late grandfather’s birthday was June 13th, so he was always fond of St. Anthony. My father told me one of the times they went back to Italy they made the “mistake” of going to Padua on June 13th. Even to this day Dad hates huge crowds. But what a time and place to encounter one!
I am praying to Saint Anthony to help someone else find something. I am praying that the significant portion Western Civilization that have lost their minds find them as soon as possible.
Tony did me a great favor recently. I had lost my driving classes, which I usually keep in a case between the front seats, near the emergency brake. Exasperated, I went to the store to reorder a pair. Last place I checked was the case: empty. Returning from the store, on a whim I checked the case again, and there they were, exactly where they hadn’t been less than half an hour before. I cancelled my order.
Ditto. Been much more successful than chance would account for.