Jun

13

Antonius Patavinus, sacerdos et doctor

June 13, 2008 |

Today, the Church remembers St. Anthony, that great light and the figure that stands in many of our church buildings. Copied below are notes made from the New Advent page:

* lifetime: 1195 - 1231
* born Ferdinand in Lisboa, Portugal to pius, noble parents.
* joined the Canons Regular of St. Augustine at fifteen, just outside the city walls. Later moved to the Convent of Santa Croce in Coimbra to avoid visits from relatives and friends.
* possessed of a great intellect and photographic memory, he soon gathered from Scripture and the Fathers a thorough theological understanding.
* inspired at twenty five by the martyrdom of the Franciscan missionaries to Morocco and resolved to join the Friars Minor and preach to the Saracens. With the habit, he took the name of Anthony.
* prevented by illness from going to Morocco and driven onto the coast of Sicily where he then remained to regain his health.
* his hitherto undiscovered wealth of knowledge in theological matters is unexpectedly discovered when he is surprised with a request to preach at an ordination at Montepaolo. Even Francis of Assisi is impressed.
* worked against the Cathars and the Patarines in Italy and the Albigensians in France. His work made him malleus hereticorum or Hammer of the Heretics.
* worked interesting miracles of conversion: caused a donkey to kneel before the Blessed Sacrament, neutralised poisoned food given him by heretics, caused fish in the river Brenta to attend one of his sermons.
* other astounding taumaturgics include teleportation (interrupting a homily to recite the Office in another location), preventing his hearers from being soaked by rain, prophecy and mind reading, restoring an amputated foot, etc.
* encountered the infant Christ in a celebrated apparition, although the location of this vision is disputed.
* died at thirty six, promptly appeared to his abbot.
* great following, canonised Pentecost 1232 by Gregory IX PP, being labelled ‘Ark of the Covenant’ for his profound knowledge of Scripture.
* when his tomb was uncovered thirty years later all was dust but his tongue, which was perfectly preserved. God loves to give us little signs.

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Scripture
You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not commit adultery. But I say to you, that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart. And if thy right eye scandalize thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee. For it is expedient for thee that one of thy members should perish, rather than that thy whole body be cast into hell. (Mt 5:27-29)

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