ANTHONY OF PADUA, SAINT

born 1195, Lisbon, Port. died June 13, 1231, Arcella, Verona [now in Italy]; canonized 1232; feast day June 13 Anthony also spelled Antony, Italian San Antonio Di Padova, original name Fernando Franciscan friar, doctor of the church, and patron of the poor. Baptized Ferdinand, he joined the Augustinian canons (1210) and probably became a priest. He joined the Franciscan order in 1220, hoping to preach to the Saracens and be martyred. Instead, he taught theology at Bologna, Italy, and at Montpellier, Toulouse, and Puy-en-Velay in southern France, winning great admiration as a preacher. He died en route to Padua, Italy, where he is buried. Anthony was the most celebrated of St. Francis of Assisi's followers and had the reputation of a miracle worker. On Jan. 16, 1946, Pope Pius XII declared him a doctor of the church. Padua and Portugal claim him as their patron saint, and he is invoked for the return of lost property. In art he is shown with a book, a heart, a flame, a lily, or the child Jesus. Among his authentic writings are sermons for Sundays and feast days, published at Padua, 18951913. Additional reading Raphael M. Huber, St. Anthony of Padua, Doctor of the Church Universal (1948); Mabel A. Farnum, Saint Anthony of Padua: His Life and Miracles (1948); Sophronius Clasen, St. Anthony, Doctor of the Gospel (1961, reissued as St. Anthony, Doctor of the Church, 1987).