Anthony was born in 1195 near Lisbon,
and given the name Ferdinand. He was sent
to the cathedral school in Lisbon, but at the age of 15 joined the Canons
Regular of St. Augustine. He moved to Coimbra, near Lisbon, and over the
next eight years he devoted himself to study of theology and scripture.
After a group of Franciscan martyrs whom Ferdinand
had briefly met were returned to Coimbra as martyrs,
Ferdinand was determined to become a missionary and
a martyr. He left the Augustinians to join the Franciscan
Order. He received permission to go to Morocco as
a missionary, but was forced by illness to return
home. He was stationed in a small hermitage in Italy,
where he prayed, studied, and performed menial duties.
One day, the preacher at an ordination ceremony failed to appear. No one
else was prepared to speak, and the duty was given to Ferdinand, now known
as Anthony. Those gathered where astonished by Anthony's knowledge of
scripture and theology and his skill as a speaker. He was soon appointed
as a traveling preacher. In years to come he travelled throughout Italy
and France. A major aspect of his preaching was to combat the heresies
of the day. He also criticized weakness and corruption in the clergy and
greed and tyranny in society. Anthony also became the first friar to teach
theology to the other friars.
During Lent in 1231, Anthony was preaching in Padua. After Easter, Anthony
set out with two companions for a friend's estate near the city. On the
way, they made Anthony a cell in a walnut tree by binding the branches
together. Later that spring he died, on the way back to Padua.
Anthony should be the patron of those who find their
lives completely uprooted and sent in a new and unexpected
direction. Like all saints, he is a perfect example
of turning one's life completely over to Christ. God
did with Anthony as he pleased - and what he pleased
was a life of spiritual power and brilliance that
still attracts admiration today. He, whom popular
devotion has nominated as finder of lost objects,
found himself by losing himself totally to the providence
of God.
-- Leonard Foley, O.F.M. |
