Tony, Tony Look Around... uhm, maybe WE need to look around!

St. Anthony at San Fernando Mission

St. Anthony is a patron of the Institute. He is known for finding things. And there you have it. That's about it. Poor Guy. However, given his wonderful biography, I believe he is quite pleased with this set-up.  Arguably the first theologian of the Franciscan Order, a great Missionary, Miracle Worker, and Inspiring Preacher - he is undoubtedly happy to remain only to help us absent minded souls find their stuff.

Even my godson Tony is so named, because of the aid he supplied my brother during his honeymoon when his wallet was misplaced. Coupled with the saints statues in every California mission, and presto - the decision to name their first born was made decisively.... even if at this point they had no children!

Anthony was born Ferdinant, in Lisbon, Portugal. (That's right, the hero of the Italians is Portughese.)  He entered the Augustinian Order, but after seeing the first Franciscan Martyrs carried back from Africa (trying to convert Muslims) he was filled with fervor for the missionary life. He left the relatively noble Augustinians, and joined the Franciscans.



He set out for Morocco, in hopes (like St. Francis) of becoming a martyr for the faith. (I still haven't found a saint that CHASED martyrdom and became one. Even St. Max tried to avoid the Nazis and Sir Thomas Moor the Ax.) Anyway, that didn't work out and long story short he ended up ship wrecked in Sicily.  He made his way north to join the General Chapter of the Franciscans, and remained entirely unnoticed.

St. Anthony at Carmel Mission

Only after others made known to Francis Anthony's remarkable traits, did St. Francis enjoin upon him to teach Theology to the Franciscans. ONLY if he kept prayer at the center. Francis was rather worried - understandably I think given our human tendencies - that filling friars with knowledge would result in increased pride and possibly division. BUT, the TRUTH needed to be preached and loved. He commanded St. Anthony to preach that truth.

Thus began his amazing career of travels around Italy, educating the friars, preaching against heretics of the day, performing miracles - especially of the heart, and remaining faithful to the Order even during the tumultuous times after the death of St. Francis.

His tongue is incorruptible. I might impiously add that it resembles a piece of charcoal, which isn't impious at all - it is the truth. But why? Because this saint was known for preaching, speaking, loving, defending, and spreading Truth! His tongue was only an instrument of God.

Therefore, today St. Anthony asks US to look around. See the splendor and the truth around us.

St. Anthony, patron of the lost, missionary, theologian, priest. Pray for Us!