Saint Anthony of Padua is one of my favorite saints. He has a very special home in my heart because he has touched my soul and taught me from his deep well of wisdom. This quote from the Book of Acts always reminds me of Saint Anthony.
And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and enable your servants to speak your word with all boldness, as you stretch forth (your) hand to heal and signs and wonders are done through the name of your holy servant Jesus (Acts 4: 29-30).
I first learned of Saint Anthony of Padua when I was writing to a pen pal as a teenager. She loved Saint Anthony of Padua as a brother so I would send her small Saint Anthony of Padua items in the mail. As days passed, I prayed to him for her.
Praying to Saint Anthony
One day as I was praying to Saint Anthony of Padua for someone else, I thought, “Why don’t I pray to him for what is on my mind?” I remember being frustrated at the time because there were no writing opportunities opening up for me like a rosebud. I remember pleading for Saint Anthony of Padua’s intercession that I may be able to share my faith through my writing with the world. Not long after, Catholic Stand contacted me. I was filled with gratitude that not only Catholic Stand saw me fit, but that Saint Anthony of Padua had worked a miracle in supplying me with a writing opportunity that I love.
Ever since Saint Anthony of Padua has been one of my “go-to” saints whenever I face a major problem or necessity. He is a best friend to me. He is one who listens and comforts my heart. He taught me to be a better friend to all those around me. He showed me the great power of listening to a neighbor and how to console them.
When I prayed to Saint Anthony of Padua I longed to know more about him, so I read about him in a couple of books. I read about how he was a great preacher. In fact, when Saint Anthony of Padua died from Edema in 1231, his whole body was decomposed except for his tongue which is still incorrupt to this day.
A Wonderworker
I also read about how Saint Anthony of Padua is a Wonderworker: there are many miracles attributed to him. I really admire his love for the Sweet Infant Jesus and the miracle where the Baby Jesus was in his arms. It is always a lovely miracle to ponder on.
Sometimes, I write letters to Saint Anthony of Padua when my soul is in need of a good friend to talk to. I take the time to write and listen with the ear of my heart.
Dear Saint Anthony of Padua:
Today is a beautiful day of God’s creation. As you know, many intentions weigh on my heart like an anchor but you relieve the pressure by your holy presence and listening, gentle heart. Please hear each and every one of my prayers and petitions. Help me piece together God’s will for me so that I may be pleasing to him in everything with all the angels and saints. I pray for the conversion of sinners, the relief of the holy souls in Purgatory, and for the protection of unborn babies. I pray for more priests, more compassionate hearts, and a better world for today, tomorrow, and the future. I pray for all people to open their eyes to the little miracles of each day and the miracle of a new day. Please hear the pleadings of my heart. Answer the private intentions of my soul. God will give you the key. Thank you for always listening and bringing my intentions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Amen.
Your Best Friend In Christ Our Savior,
Diana Ragsdale
To end, here are a couple of my favorite Saint Anthony of Padua quotes that spoke to me. I hope you find inspiration and comfort in them as well.
The creator of the heavens obeys a carpenter; the God of eternal glory listens to a poor virgin. Has anyone ever witnessed anything comparable to this? Let the philosopher no longer disdain from listening to the common laborer; the wise, to the simple; the educated, to the illiterate; a child of a prince, to a peasant (Saint Anthony of Padua).
To use an example: See, we are standing together, and I have a rose in my hand. The rose is mine, and yet you no less than I rejoice in its beauty and perfume. So it shall be in eternal life: My glory shall be your consolation and exultation and yours shall be mine (Saint Anthony of Padua).
14 thoughts on “Finding a Friend in Saint Anthony of Padua”
Thank you for sharing and be blessed. St. Anthony my wonder worker he is always listen and help me.
Thank you Rachel for your kind comment. Saint Anthony is indeed a wonderful wonder worker!
Thank you for this lovely piece on St. Anthony of Padua, Diana! It is wonderful that you have such a beautiful devotion to this Franciscan friar! I have read that when you feel a connection to a saint, it is the saint who is choosing you from heaven so as to develop a special “heaven to earth” friendship. You relay so well the benefits of such a “heaven to earth” friendship, as St. Anthony has been for you a best friend, someone to turn to in times of need, someone who listens and comforts, as well as someone who exemplifies the practice of Christian virtues such as being a good friend and lending an ear and offering consolation to those in need. I have felt and experienced the same from the saints who are dear to my heart (including St. Anthony!). What an invaluable gift a good friend is, especially a saintly friend! For “faithful friends are a sturdy shelter: whoever finds one has found a treasure. Faithful friends are beyond price; no amount can balance their worth. Faithful friends are life-saving medicine; and those who fear the Lord will find them” Sirach 6:14-16. I also really enjoyed your emphasis of St. Anthony’s devotion to sweet infant Jesus, your letter to St. Anthony, as well as your inclusion of two of his profound and touching quotes. Great and inspiring work, Diana!
Thank you so much for your comment, AW. It is lovely to know Saint Anthony of Padua is dear to your heart. I am happy that you have found my article to be inspiring. God bless you!
Thank you so much for recognizing so beautifully my friend, St. Anthony of Padua.
If then thou seekest miracles, death, error, all calamities, the leprosy and demons flee, the sick made whole by him arise. The sea withdraws and fetters break and withered limbs he doth restore while treasures lost are found again when young or old his help implore. All dangers vanish from our paths, our direst needs do quickly flee. Let those who know repeat the theme, let Paduans praise St. Anthony!
This is part of my Tuesday novena to St. Anthony for many years. My mother taught me. I remember well, after my conversion, when I was stressing terribly about my past, my mother recited this prayer to me and said “all dangers vanish from our pasts”. I repeated it that way over and over again for years until I realized how it actually read. This is how St. Anthony puts his arms around us!
You are welcome, Paul. I am glad to know you have also found a friend in Saint Anthony of Padua. The Tuesday novena prayer you have stated is very beautiful. Thank you for your comment. God bless!
This is a lovely piece. My grade school was named St. Anthony de Padua. All my teachers, except in sixth grade, were nuns, and we went to Mass every day. St. Anthony gave me a very stable childhood and a solid foundation in the faith. In 2001 I went to his home church in Padua, Italy. They have his tongue as a relic. (Kind of disturbing but I’m glad you filled in that story.) Please keep studying, praying, and writing. Your generation will need reflections like yours for years to come.
Thank you, Mrs. Bridge, for sharing your story and giving me encouragement. I really appreciate it. God bless you! – Diana Ragsdale
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Thank you for the suggestions, your most welcome, and peace be with you as well. The Holy Spirit is always ready to guide and direct our steps, even when that means breaking certain relationships so other more honorable and holy ones may come along. The plan is always our salvation, it’s just whether or not we get there and who contributes to it along the way.
Anyway, thanks again for the response and I’m glad you found the prayer! I hope it helps you as much or more than it did me. Put Jesus first, last, and always (i.e. source, center, and summit) and He will make the rest happen when it comes to our marital lives. Or not, cause maybe He just wants us all to Himself – lol. In Christ, Andrew
A wonderful piece. I too, have a special affection for St. Anthony of Padua. He is, after all, my patron saint and I have “called” on him on numerous occasions.
Thanks for sharing. Keep writing!
Thank you, Ida, for your kind words of encouragement. God bless you! – — Diana Ragsdale
I got introduced to Saint Anthony of Padua a while ago when I was struggling with what it now a few years past a broken engagement (by me). The Lord somehow brought me to his “Be Satisfied with Me” prayer, and it really reinforced what I already knew in my heart about that relationship. However, being the warrior saint in training that the Lord saved me to be, I soldiered on past that for a little over a year while trying to impart the very essential wisdom from that poem to my fiance. In the end (for us) though it didn’t take root in her heart and I broke it off in time.
Having said that though, I have never sought out more (writings) from Saint Anthony since then, but am interested in doing so based on what you wrote. I would appreciate your suggestions with that and will be grateful to receive them. I even have a picture of Jesus walking with a little boy who looks like me when I was younger with an abridged version of that prayer superimposed over it. Such wonderfully insightful and spiritually wise writing. And it obviously comes from a heart both for and with Christ! Doesn’t get much better.
Thank you for your post and God bless! In Christ, Andrew
Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt response, Andrew. I am sorry to hear of your broken engagement. Know that God has a plan for you. I looked up the prayer you have mentioned. I have never heard of it before and I must say that it is beautiful. As someone who is preparing myself for the right one to come along, I shall take it to prayer. As for suggestions… https://www.companionsofstanthony.org/ is a website I found to be informative. I own a really neat prayer book of St. Anthony of Padua by the Companions of St. Anthony sent in the mail. I also have a Treasury of Novenas book that has a short summary of St. Anthony, a few scriptural quotes, a novena, and a litany. I hope this helps! Once again, thanks for your kind comment. God bless you. – Diana Ragsdale