General Information
Saint Anthony was canonized (declared a saint) less than one year after his death.
The miracles attributed to Saint Anthony immediately following his death are too numerous to
state. They are well documented and very few scholars, if any, would doubt their authenticity.
Fifty-three of the miracles which were read before Pope Gregory IX can be found in the book,
"Life of St. Anthony: Assidua," by A Contemporary Franciscan. Information on this book can
be found in the resources section of this site.
The most popular miracles attributed to Saint Anthony during his life (Baby Jesus appearing to him,
miracle of the mule, preaching to the fish, etc.) are somewhat questionable, but this is not to
say as a fact that they did not happen. It is just that there is very little reliable proof that they
actually occured. It is more likely that many authors of the middle ages, when writing the
biography of a saint, would at times, exagerate, in order to try and inspire the readers, and
bring them closer to God.
Saint Anthony was requested to teach theology to his Franciscan brothers by a letter written to
him by Saint Francis of Assisi:
"To Brother Anthony, my bishop, Brother Francis gives greeting: It is agreeable to me to have
you read sacred Theology to the brothers, so long as over this study they do not extinguish the
spirit of prayer and devotion, as is contained in the rule."
Thus, Saint Anthony became the first teacher of the Franciscan order.
Saint Anthony showed us how social-minded he was when at his request, on March 15, 1231, the
city of Padua enacted a new law that stated that a debtor or guarantor could not be deprived of
his personal freedom in the future if he is unable to pay. Before this, a person could be
imprisoned for being unable to pay.
Saint Anthony's Bread is a devotion whereby a donation is given for the poor in thanksgiving to
the Saint for favors received.
Saint Anthony was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1946 by Pope Pius XII. Only 33 saints
have been so honored with this title.
Pope Pius XII said of St. Anthony, "To one who reads the Sermones of Padua's saint, Anthony
is revealed as most skilled in Sacred Scripture, as a remarkable theologian of the teachings of
our faith, and as an exceptional teacher and master in ascetic and mystical subjects."
Saint Bonaventure said, "Saint Anthony posessed the science of the angels, the faith of the
patriarchs, the fore-knowledge of the prophets, the zeal of the apostles, the heroism of martyrs."
Saint Antonine (Dominican) declared, "He was a vessel of election, an eagle in knowledge, a
wonder-worker beyond compare."
One of the most amazing facts regarding Saint Anthony is that his
tongue is
incorrupt (see picture at right), and can be seen at the
Basilica of the Saint,
in Padua, Italy.
Saint Bonaventure presided over the transfer of the remains to the
new
Basilica built in his honor, and upon seeing the incorrupt
tongue, exclaimed,
"Blessed Tongue, you always praised the Lord
and made others praise
Him, now it is clear how much merit you
have before God."