13 June - Antoine de Padua, whose real name was Fernando Martins de Bulhões, was born around 1195 in Lisbon into a noble and military family. In 1220, the remains of the Franciscan martyrs of Morocco were brought back to Portugal.
The testimony of these lives overwhelmed the 25 year old priest and led him to ask for admission among the disciples of Francis of Assisi, where he became "Brother Anthony". At his request, he left for a mission in Morocco, but had to be repatriated to Europe in 1221 because of health problems. His ship is pushed by the winds towards the coast of Sicily, where he meets the Franciscans of Messina. He took part alongside Francis of Assisi in the General Chapter of May 30, 1221, and spent almost a year in the convent of Montepaolo, practically isolated from the rest of the community.
In 1222, during the ordination of several Franciscans, he had to speak in the place of a friar and showed great talent as an orator and scholar. Francis of Assisi then sent him to preach in Italy and France.
Anthony knew theology very well, and his preaching met with great success. He preached and taught theology in Bologna, and then moved to the south of France, to Toulouse and Montpellier, promoting the conversion of many Cathars. He founded a monastery in Brive, where he obtained many conversions. Like Vincent Ferrier and Torquemada, he was nicknamed the "hammer of heretics". His remarkable knowledge of the Holy Scriptures led him to be awarded the title of "Living Treasure of the Bible" by Pope Gregory IX, who did not hide his admiration.
In 1226, he was Custodian of Limoges and in 1227, after the death of the founder of his order, Francis of Assisi, he became provincial of Northern Italy, while continuing his preaching and controversies with the Albigensians. Tradition reports that in 1227, on his return from France, he had a shrine dedicated to the Blessed Virgin of Graces built in the town of Gemona del Friuli, in Friuli (Italy). At that time, Gemona was home to a large community of patricians, a sect considered heretical, against which Anthony preached. This sanctuary, which still exists, will be the first one dedicated to Saint Anthony in the world.
In 1230, in chapter, he renounced his office as provincial minister. He was then sent to Rome, where he became one of the advisers of Pope Gregory IX, who questioned the validity of the Testament of Francis of Assisi.
In 1231 he was sent to Padua (Republic of Venice), where he continued his preaching during Lent. He died of dropsy and exhaustion the following June 13, in Arcella, near Padua, at the age of 36. Although his apostolate lasted less than ten years, the radiance of his words and deeds will have an international reach to the present day. Anthony was canonized on May 30, 1232, by Pope Gregory IX, because of some forty healings. The crowds come in large numbers. Even today, they still flock to the basilica dedicated to him in Padua, Italy.
