There is a very famous story in the life of dear St. Anthony of Padua in which he was taken to task over his belief in the Holy Eucharist. The Saint was challenged to prove his belief by seeing whether a donkey would go toward food and water or the Holy Eucharist. The poor beast had been starved for three days and St. Anthony had made it clear that the donkey would worship Jesus in the Eucharist before be driven by instinct to feed and satiate itself with the food and water.
Of course if the animal had followed its instincts we would not be remembering it today. The donkey not only did not go directly to the food and water but in the town square in from of the populus knelt and as it were adored the Holy Eucharist and made believers out of everyone.
We too need to ignore what our senses tell us about the Holy Eucharist. We need to find Jesus truly present and worship Him. We need to ask the prayers of St. Anthony to help us grow closer in love for Jesus and imitated Jesus in all things.
St.Anthony of Padua, pray for us!
Mark
Friday, August 24, 2012
Thursday, August 2, 2012
One...Two...Three...
Several years ago there was a very popular television program by the name of M*A*S*H. There was a corporal named Klinger. Klinger always wanted to get out of the army by being proclaimed insane. He tried many ways and one time he was in trouble because he had a very short fuse and a very big temper. He would fight just about anybody and when his commanding officer asked him to try to calm down he replied that his wife always told him to count to ten and then pray to Saint Anthony, When the commanding officer asked him if it worked he said that he never ever got to the prayer he would start counting and around three or four would start slugging.
While this little joke is kind of funny it can teach us a great lesson. Maybe we pray and ask the help of St. Anthony only after the problems already exist. We need to pray to be delivered from all evil beforehand. Sound familiar? Jesus taught us the Our Father and most of the petitions are set in the future. We can take time and pray asking the prayers of St. Anthony before things happen.
If we have a flaw or weakness we can ask him to pray with us and for us to be strong and patient. I think we should probably take Klinger's wife Lavern's advice although maybe in reverse. Pray first and then maybe count to ten before we act instead of react.
St. Anthony of Padua, one... two....three... pray for us!
Mark
While this little joke is kind of funny it can teach us a great lesson. Maybe we pray and ask the help of St. Anthony only after the problems already exist. We need to pray to be delivered from all evil beforehand. Sound familiar? Jesus taught us the Our Father and most of the petitions are set in the future. We can take time and pray asking the prayers of St. Anthony before things happen.
If we have a flaw or weakness we can ask him to pray with us and for us to be strong and patient. I think we should probably take Klinger's wife Lavern's advice although maybe in reverse. Pray first and then maybe count to ten before we act instead of react.
St. Anthony of Padua, one... two....three... pray for us!
Mark
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Hey...Where's My Book?
In 1224,
when obedience set him to preach in France, St. Anthony made hundreds of converts and friends. Few people today think of the Saint as a polyglot but he was fluent in several languages.
A jealous former friar is thought to have stolen St. Anthony’s breviary (pronounced "breev-ree"). The breviary is a prayer book that religious order priests, brothers and sisters pray with several times a day. Today we call the breviary the Liturgy of the Hours. It is mostly made up of the Psalms of the Bible.
Since St. Anthony had great success as a preacher, this misguided ex-friar thought St. Anthony's success was in some way related to his daily reading from his breviary. When no one was looking,the man slipped into the Saint’s cell and stole his well-worn breviary. When St. Anthony discovered the loss of his treasured book, he stormed heaven for help. The humility of St. Anthony moved him to pray with such intensity. He had written his personal meditations and insights on Scripture in the margins of the book. The Saint did not want the attention drawn to his writings. As the thief was nearing home, a terrible apparition with great growling and snorting seemed to block his way. The thief promised that he would return the book if his life would be spared. Needless to say, he returned the book to St. Anthony throwing himself at the Saint’s feet. He was immediately forgiven.
We must remember that above everything else St. Anthony was a priest and forgiveness was his job. The fact that the Saint to this day is known for the recovery of lost and stolen articles is a witness to his enduring compassion.
I encourage you to ask St. Anthony for any lost or stolen thing(maybe a "lost" friend or relative or a stolen soul lost to addiction). Pray and ask his prayers that God may bring about the recovery of your lost or stolen anything!
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us.
Mark
A jealous former friar is thought to have stolen St. Anthony’s breviary (pronounced "breev-ree"). The breviary is a prayer book that religious order priests, brothers and sisters pray with several times a day. Today we call the breviary the Liturgy of the Hours. It is mostly made up of the Psalms of the Bible.
Since St. Anthony had great success as a preacher, this misguided ex-friar thought St. Anthony's success was in some way related to his daily reading from his breviary. When no one was looking,the man slipped into the Saint’s cell and stole his well-worn breviary. When St. Anthony discovered the loss of his treasured book, he stormed heaven for help. The humility of St. Anthony moved him to pray with such intensity. He had written his personal meditations and insights on Scripture in the margins of the book. The Saint did not want the attention drawn to his writings. As the thief was nearing home, a terrible apparition with great growling and snorting seemed to block his way. The thief promised that he would return the book if his life would be spared. Needless to say, he returned the book to St. Anthony throwing himself at the Saint’s feet. He was immediately forgiven.
We must remember that above everything else St. Anthony was a priest and forgiveness was his job. The fact that the Saint to this day is known for the recovery of lost and stolen articles is a witness to his enduring compassion.
I encourage you to ask St. Anthony for any lost or stolen thing(maybe a "lost" friend or relative or a stolen soul lost to addiction). Pray and ask his prayers that God may bring about the recovery of your lost or stolen anything!
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us.
Mark
Saturday, July 14, 2012
The Miralculous Responsory
The Miraculous Responsory
is a powerful and highly indulgenced prayer, sometimes known as the "Si quaeris" from the first words of the Latin translation. It is generally attributed to St. Bonaventure, and is considered to have been composed by him on the occasion of the discovery of the incorrupt tongue of St. Anthony.
When they opened the tomb of St. Anthony his bones were there but his whole vocal chord and speaking mechanism was intact thrity-two years later. This remarkable discovery was made in the year 1263 when the saint's relics were transferred to the Basilica which had been built in his honor in Padua. When the tomb was opened it was found that the flesh had crumbled to dust but that the tongue was intact, and had the appearance of the tongue of a living man. The Responsory is a very popular means of honoring St. Anthony and of seeking his aid, especially in the recovery of things that have been lost.
The Responsory:
If you seek for miracles,
Death, error, all calamities,
The demons fly, and leprosy,
And health succeeds infirmities.
The sea obeys and fetters break, And lifeless limbs thou dost restore; Whilst treasures lost are found again, When young and old thine aid implore.
All dangers vanish at thy prayer,
The direst need doth quickly flee.
Let those who know thy power proclaim,
Let Paduans say these are of thee.
The sea obeys and fetters break, And lifeless limbs thou dost restore; Whilst treasures lost are found again, When young and old thine aid implore.
To Father, Son may glory be
And Holy Ghost eternally.
The sea obeys and fetters break, And lifeless limbs thou dost restore; Whilst treasures lost are found again, When young and old thine aid implore.
V. Pray for us, Blessed Anthony.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, may the votive commemoration of Blessed Anthony, Thy Confessor, be a source of joy to Thy Church, that she may always be fortified with spiritual assistance, and deserve to enjoy eternal happiness. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Try this most miraculous prayer and please remember to send any your donation to the San Antonio Mission the address down below. Pray for a miracle they do happen
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us. Mark
When they opened the tomb of St. Anthony his bones were there but his whole vocal chord and speaking mechanism was intact thrity-two years later. This remarkable discovery was made in the year 1263 when the saint's relics were transferred to the Basilica which had been built in his honor in Padua. When the tomb was opened it was found that the flesh had crumbled to dust but that the tongue was intact, and had the appearance of the tongue of a living man. The Responsory is a very popular means of honoring St. Anthony and of seeking his aid, especially in the recovery of things that have been lost.
The Responsory:
If you seek for miracles,
Death, error, all calamities,
The demons fly, and leprosy,
And health succeeds infirmities.
The sea obeys and fetters break, And lifeless limbs thou dost restore; Whilst treasures lost are found again, When young and old thine aid implore.
All dangers vanish at thy prayer,
The direst need doth quickly flee.
Let those who know thy power proclaim,
Let Paduans say these are of thee.
The sea obeys and fetters break, And lifeless limbs thou dost restore; Whilst treasures lost are found again, When young and old thine aid implore.
To Father, Son may glory be
And Holy Ghost eternally.
The sea obeys and fetters break, And lifeless limbs thou dost restore; Whilst treasures lost are found again, When young and old thine aid implore.
V. Pray for us, Blessed Anthony.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, may the votive commemoration of Blessed Anthony, Thy Confessor, be a source of joy to Thy Church, that she may always be fortified with spiritual assistance, and deserve to enjoy eternal happiness. Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen.
Try this most miraculous prayer and please remember to send any your donation to the San Antonio Mission the address down below. Pray for a miracle they do happen
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us. Mark
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Patron of The,,,
St. Anthony is the patron Saint of things lost and stolen yet here is a partial list of the many things and places of which he is the patron Saint. Should you find yourself in the need of his intercession feel free to ask the Saint for his prayers. You may use the prayer at the right side of this blog or any other suitable prayer.
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us.
Mark
- against barrenness
- against shipwreck
- against starvation
- against starving
- against sterility
- American Indians
- amputees
- animals
- asses
- boatmen
- domestic animals
- elderly people
- expectant mothers
- faith in the Blessed Sacrament
- fishermen
- harvests
- horses
- lost articles
- lower animals
- mariners
- oppressed people
- paupers
- poor people
- pregnant women
- sailors
- seekers of lost articles
- starving people
- swineherds
- travel hostesses
- travellers
- watermen
- —
- Brazil
- Portugal
- Tigua Indians
- —
- Beaumont, Texas, diocese of
- Masbate, Philippines, diocese of
- Timmins, Ontario, diocese of
- —
- Amantea, Italy
- Anzio, Italy
- Cianciana, Agrigento, Italy
- Dorado, Puerto Rico
- Favara, Italy
- Ferrazzano, Italy
- Giano Vetusto, Italy
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Nicolosi, Italy
- Padua, Italy
- San Antonio Tlayacapan, Mexico
- San Fulgencio, Spain
- Sandia Indian Pueblo
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us.
Mark
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Today Is A St. Anthony Tuesday
St. Anthony died on Friday the thirteenth of June in the year 1231. He was loved so much by the people of Padua they wanted his body to be given to the city for a shrine. The people built a bridge so the the body could be safely transported from Arcella to Padua and it was taken in procession on the following Tuesday.
During the funeral procession so many miracles came about that devout clients of St. Anthony determined that his day to work miracles was Tuesday and to this day Tuesday has become St. Anthony's day of the week
There has been a longstanding pious tradition that anyone could make a novena of Tuesdays praying for some special intention. As Catholics we know that prayer is the way to the Heart of God and that the Saints pray with us. They intercede for us and remember us before the throne of God. St. Anthony is known as the advocate of his clients and they can count on his prayers.
I have confidence that your prayers with be heard when you ask the prayers of St. Anthony for his help. We see in Holy Scripture that the Holy Apostles prayed for the sick and they were healed. Jesus encouraged His disciples to lay hands on the sick and pray and this brought about great healing. Even the shadow of St. Peter was good enough to bring healing (Acts 5:15-16).
Whatever the case ask the prayers of St. Anthony and remember that God is blessed in His Saints!
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us.
Mark
During the funeral procession so many miracles came about that devout clients of St. Anthony determined that his day to work miracles was Tuesday and to this day Tuesday has become St. Anthony's day of the week
There has been a longstanding pious tradition that anyone could make a novena of Tuesdays praying for some special intention. As Catholics we know that prayer is the way to the Heart of God and that the Saints pray with us. They intercede for us and remember us before the throne of God. St. Anthony is known as the advocate of his clients and they can count on his prayers.
I have confidence that your prayers with be heard when you ask the prayers of St. Anthony for his help. We see in Holy Scripture that the Holy Apostles prayed for the sick and they were healed. Jesus encouraged His disciples to lay hands on the sick and pray and this brought about great healing. Even the shadow of St. Peter was good enough to bring healing (Acts 5:15-16).
Whatever the case ask the prayers of St. Anthony and remember that God is blessed in His Saints!
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us.
Mark
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Oh Yeah? Well, My Grandma's Nose!
When I was too young to remember, my grandmother had a serious growth that came out right under her right nostril. My grandmother was a very very fair complected woman and this growth was darker colored and you know what it looked like. That's right, like she was in real need of a tissue. Many people would look at her and focus on her nostril and not so much on what she was saying. When the growth started to get a bit larger my grandmother decided to seek medical help. While the doctor did not think the growth was life threatening he did tell my grandmother that she should have it removed. His only reservation was that it would leave a large scar and he could not guarantee it would not return.
My grandmother was concerned and a bit vain. The thought of having the attention drawn to her nostril eradicated was tempting, yet to take away one attention-drawing growth to replace it with an attention-drawing scar seemed pretty much like a lateral move.
She was a good friend with my Aunt Rosie. To tell the truth Aunt Rosie was her friend first. Often when, as I mentioned before, my Aunt Rosie would make a day trip, mini-pilgrimage to the San Antonio Mission in Jolon California, she and her husband would take along my widowed grandmother.
When my grandmother returned from the doctor rather disillusioned she shared her tale of woe with my Aunt Rosie. Aunt Rosie told her that she was planning a trip to the San Antonio Mission soon and that my grandmother should go so as to make an appeal to the great wonder-working Saint of Padua. On the next Sunday, my aunt, her husband and my grandmother headed for the Mission in his old Ford truck which was, and is, a classic (the kind that is purchased new and kept pristine forever).
Now, in order for anyone to understand the magnitude of the events that followed, they would have to have known my grandmother. She was a simple woman who would trip or stumble with the slightest change of surface. She was the type of woman that fainted when she was surprised and would get a bloody nose with any change of temperature or altitude. She was also rather Rubinesque yet frail.
As the three arrived at the Mission they went immediately to the Church to pray and light candles all the time asking the prayers of St. Anthony. My grandmother in a moment of penance and a bit desperate decided to kneel on the rough brick steps of the rustic Communion rail and when she did she lost her balance and fell. She took quite a tumble and when my aunt and her husband went to her rescue they were so worried because her face was covered with blood.
My Aunt would later relate that she thought my grandmother had died or at the very least had broken her nose. My grandmother sat up and reached in to her Buick of a patten leather purse for her arsenal of tissue and when she had blotted... realized she was fine. She had not broken her nose. From where had all the blood come? They could not find its source until they realized that my grandmother no longer had her growth. With the precision of a surgeon "not of this world" she had been relieved of this burden and faith triumphed once more.
As a rather wonderful epilogue to the story, my grandmother did return to the doctor that week and he said that no surgeon could have done the job with such alacrity and precision. There was never a scar nor did it ever return! My grandmother knew that God had heard the prayers of her dear advocate St. Anthony along with her own. She had received what we have always thought was a signal grace and my aunt's faith in the prayers of St. Anthony were well placed.
Pray the prayer to the right with faith and you too will receive signal graces. I have posted a picture of the Mission Church and to the bottom left of the Communion rail is where all this happened.
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us.
Mark
My grandmother was concerned and a bit vain. The thought of having the attention drawn to her nostril eradicated was tempting, yet to take away one attention-drawing growth to replace it with an attention-drawing scar seemed pretty much like a lateral move.
She was a good friend with my Aunt Rosie. To tell the truth Aunt Rosie was her friend first. Often when, as I mentioned before, my Aunt Rosie would make a day trip, mini-pilgrimage to the San Antonio Mission in Jolon California, she and her husband would take along my widowed grandmother.
When my grandmother returned from the doctor rather disillusioned she shared her tale of woe with my Aunt Rosie. Aunt Rosie told her that she was planning a trip to the San Antonio Mission soon and that my grandmother should go so as to make an appeal to the great wonder-working Saint of Padua. On the next Sunday, my aunt, her husband and my grandmother headed for the Mission in his old Ford truck which was, and is, a classic (the kind that is purchased new and kept pristine forever).
Now, in order for anyone to understand the magnitude of the events that followed, they would have to have known my grandmother. She was a simple woman who would trip or stumble with the slightest change of surface. She was the type of woman that fainted when she was surprised and would get a bloody nose with any change of temperature or altitude. She was also rather Rubinesque yet frail.
As the three arrived at the Mission they went immediately to the Church to pray and light candles all the time asking the prayers of St. Anthony. My grandmother in a moment of penance and a bit desperate decided to kneel on the rough brick steps of the rustic Communion rail and when she did she lost her balance and fell. She took quite a tumble and when my aunt and her husband went to her rescue they were so worried because her face was covered with blood.
My Aunt would later relate that she thought my grandmother had died or at the very least had broken her nose. My grandmother sat up and reached in to her Buick of a patten leather purse for her arsenal of tissue and when she had blotted... realized she was fine. She had not broken her nose. From where had all the blood come? They could not find its source until they realized that my grandmother no longer had her growth. With the precision of a surgeon "not of this world" she had been relieved of this burden and faith triumphed once more.
As a rather wonderful epilogue to the story, my grandmother did return to the doctor that week and he said that no surgeon could have done the job with such alacrity and precision. There was never a scar nor did it ever return! My grandmother knew that God had heard the prayers of her dear advocate St. Anthony along with her own. She had received what we have always thought was a signal grace and my aunt's faith in the prayers of St. Anthony were well placed.
Pray the prayer to the right with faith and you too will receive signal graces. I have posted a picture of the Mission Church and to the bottom left of the Communion rail is where all this happened.
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us.
Mark
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
My Aunt Rosie,,,St. Anthony's Faithful Client,
I grew up with a family friend that I called Auntie Rosie. She was too old to call by her first name and such a close friend that she was family.
Aunt Rosie was a faithful client of St. Anthony. She had such a great devotion to him and had recourse to him in everything. I admired her love for him because she did not just call on him for the usual lost keys or book, but had a profound trust in the prayers of St. Anthony before God.
She grew up in Tucson Arizona and was part German and part Native American just like my mother. She told me that as a young lady she had been very ill. When the doctors came up with the cause of her illness they diagnosed her with a serious heart condition and told her that she most likely would not live into her thirties.
Aunt Rosie told me she was devastated by the news and decided to ask St. Anthony for his intercession. As a sign of her confidence in his help she went to a silversmith there in Tucson and had a small heart fashioned and took it to a statue shrine there. She offered this small token to the dear Saint of Padua and begged his prayers not so much for herself but for her small children. She felt that St. Anthony had successfully interceded for her cure since her symptoms had vanished.
This made her a lifelong devotee of St. Anthony. She moved to California and had other children and lived into her nineties! She moved near the San Antonio Mission in Jolon California and would take frequent day trips to make a mini pilgrimage to pray, light candles and sit in the silence that the Mission affords even to this day.
She used to tell of the time that she and her family went to Lake San Antonio for a day of recreation. They had not planned a stop at the Mission but circumstances changed their plans. Her son-in-law was driving and when the family got to the lake they went swimming in the lake and had a picnic and when it was already late afternoon they packed up to return home. When they could not find the keys to their vehicle, they looked everywhere and retraced their steps and still no keys. They feared that they were lost at the bottom of the lake. Her son-in-law looked in his pockets again and again and when asked to look one more time he pulled the pockets of his pants inside out to make sure no one would not ask him again.
My aunt then proclaimed that she would ask St. Anthony and he would bring them the keys but they had to promise no matter how late it was to go to the San Antonio Mission and light some candles in thanksgiving once the keys were discovered. They promised and she told them to retrace their steps and diplomatically asked "everyone" to check their pockets and when her son-in-law did once again the keys were there!
St. Anthony came through once again. They fulfilled their promise immediately and with a new found faith and devotion.
Remember to give to one of the Charities of St. Anthony when you receive your graces too. I encourage you to give to San Antonio Mission in Jolon California they need it.
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us.
Mark
Aunt Rosie was a faithful client of St. Anthony. She had such a great devotion to him and had recourse to him in everything. I admired her love for him because she did not just call on him for the usual lost keys or book, but had a profound trust in the prayers of St. Anthony before God.
She grew up in Tucson Arizona and was part German and part Native American just like my mother. She told me that as a young lady she had been very ill. When the doctors came up with the cause of her illness they diagnosed her with a serious heart condition and told her that she most likely would not live into her thirties.
Aunt Rosie told me she was devastated by the news and decided to ask St. Anthony for his intercession. As a sign of her confidence in his help she went to a silversmith there in Tucson and had a small heart fashioned and took it to a statue shrine there. She offered this small token to the dear Saint of Padua and begged his prayers not so much for herself but for her small children. She felt that St. Anthony had successfully interceded for her cure since her symptoms had vanished.
This made her a lifelong devotee of St. Anthony. She moved to California and had other children and lived into her nineties! She moved near the San Antonio Mission in Jolon California and would take frequent day trips to make a mini pilgrimage to pray, light candles and sit in the silence that the Mission affords even to this day.
She used to tell of the time that she and her family went to Lake San Antonio for a day of recreation. They had not planned a stop at the Mission but circumstances changed their plans. Her son-in-law was driving and when the family got to the lake they went swimming in the lake and had a picnic and when it was already late afternoon they packed up to return home. When they could not find the keys to their vehicle, they looked everywhere and retraced their steps and still no keys. They feared that they were lost at the bottom of the lake. Her son-in-law looked in his pockets again and again and when asked to look one more time he pulled the pockets of his pants inside out to make sure no one would not ask him again.
My aunt then proclaimed that she would ask St. Anthony and he would bring them the keys but they had to promise no matter how late it was to go to the San Antonio Mission and light some candles in thanksgiving once the keys were discovered. They promised and she told them to retrace their steps and diplomatically asked "everyone" to check their pockets and when her son-in-law did once again the keys were there!
St. Anthony came through once again. They fulfilled their promise immediately and with a new found faith and devotion.
Remember to give to one of the Charities of St. Anthony when you receive your graces too. I encourage you to give to San Antonio Mission in Jolon California they need it.
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us.
Mark
Monday, July 2, 2012
I Took To My Bed Like A Man In His Last Hour
When I was in second grade kids were tracked. That really means that those that were higher performing students were in one class and those that were lesser performing were in another and those in the bottom were placed in yet another. I was placed in the middle group for this year and it was a foreign land for me since I had only been in the higher group and had no friends in this class.
I felt as if no one liked me, the teacher included. She was new to our school and spoke with an accent and she had a different way of doing things and the way that I was used to doing them was not her way. She had a conference with my mother and I emerged grounded from television.
In order to raise my grade I asked if I could take my reading book home for the weekend and my teacher reluctantly allowed me to do so only with the admonition that I better not lose it. I left the classroom with book in hand with that happy feeling that only the weekend can bring. I came home and asked to go play outside and I did. The next morning I got up and was going to spend some time reading before the Saturday family activities were to begin when I could not find my book. I looked everywhere and it was nowhere. My mother helped me and we could not find it anywhere. Our house was very organized and I didn't have that much stuff in my room so it was obvious it was lost.
I began to cry and no amount of cajoling would help me. I took to my bed like a dying man and could not enjoy my Saturday. Saturday a kid's high holy day of the week! That evening my grandmother came by to visit and asked where I was and my mother told her of my situation and my being in bed. Instead of wondering why a second grader exhibited so much dramatics my grandma just came in to my room to visit me. She made her "sick call" with kindness and asked why I was ill. I told her that I lost my book and that I was going to be in trouble if I didn't take it back, She assured me that the teacher would certainly not react too badly since she was sure other little boys must lose a book every now and then. I agreed but stated with emphasis,"but Grama, this teacher hates me!" Grandma then said " okay, if you can't rely on your teacher to understand, then you can always call on Senor San Antonio.". Grandma explained that St. Anthony was the patron Saint of lost articles and that any prayer to him would bring results. Her calling him "Senor San Antonio" is like saying my lord, St. Anthony and I knew from her language that this title was one of exalted confidence. I went to Mass the next day and lit a ten cent candle and with a pain in the pit of my stomach I asked St. Anthony for the safe return of my book.
The next day was a holiday, wouldn't you know, but early Tuesday morning I got ready for school and I was assured by both parents that if the teacher wanted them to, they would pay for the lost book and that if she had a problem with any part of this they were available for further discussion. My father's look made me understand that he would not let anyone grill me for such an honest mistake. My mother encouraged me and said that it was not worth my health to grieve so much about a book.
I went to school like a man condemned. I went to my classroom and as I walked in the door what was sitting on my desk? That right it was my book! Thanks St. Anthony! I knew for a fact that he had so kindly put it there to save me from my problem!
The teacher asked me if I had been in the classroom before she got there. I told her I hadn't and she said, " When I got here this morning your book was on top of your desk."
I vowed on that day to always be grateful for St. Anthony's prayers and encourage devotion to him.
Now some of you may think that the book could have been placed there by a kind custodian but they had no way of knowing whose book it was or whose desk to put it on. My name was not in the book only a number.
I encourage you to ask the prayers of St. Anthony and you won't have to walk through life as one condemned but as a child of God who takes good care of His children.
St, Anthony, pray for us.
Mark
I felt as if no one liked me, the teacher included. She was new to our school and spoke with an accent and she had a different way of doing things and the way that I was used to doing them was not her way. She had a conference with my mother and I emerged grounded from television.
In order to raise my grade I asked if I could take my reading book home for the weekend and my teacher reluctantly allowed me to do so only with the admonition that I better not lose it. I left the classroom with book in hand with that happy feeling that only the weekend can bring. I came home and asked to go play outside and I did. The next morning I got up and was going to spend some time reading before the Saturday family activities were to begin when I could not find my book. I looked everywhere and it was nowhere. My mother helped me and we could not find it anywhere. Our house was very organized and I didn't have that much stuff in my room so it was obvious it was lost.
I began to cry and no amount of cajoling would help me. I took to my bed like a dying man and could not enjoy my Saturday. Saturday a kid's high holy day of the week! That evening my grandmother came by to visit and asked where I was and my mother told her of my situation and my being in bed. Instead of wondering why a second grader exhibited so much dramatics my grandma just came in to my room to visit me. She made her "sick call" with kindness and asked why I was ill. I told her that I lost my book and that I was going to be in trouble if I didn't take it back, She assured me that the teacher would certainly not react too badly since she was sure other little boys must lose a book every now and then. I agreed but stated with emphasis,"but Grama, this teacher hates me!" Grandma then said " okay, if you can't rely on your teacher to understand, then you can always call on Senor San Antonio.". Grandma explained that St. Anthony was the patron Saint of lost articles and that any prayer to him would bring results. Her calling him "Senor San Antonio" is like saying my lord, St. Anthony and I knew from her language that this title was one of exalted confidence. I went to Mass the next day and lit a ten cent candle and with a pain in the pit of my stomach I asked St. Anthony for the safe return of my book.
The next day was a holiday, wouldn't you know, but early Tuesday morning I got ready for school and I was assured by both parents that if the teacher wanted them to, they would pay for the lost book and that if she had a problem with any part of this they were available for further discussion. My father's look made me understand that he would not let anyone grill me for such an honest mistake. My mother encouraged me and said that it was not worth my health to grieve so much about a book.
I went to school like a man condemned. I went to my classroom and as I walked in the door what was sitting on my desk? That right it was my book! Thanks St. Anthony! I knew for a fact that he had so kindly put it there to save me from my problem!
The teacher asked me if I had been in the classroom before she got there. I told her I hadn't and she said, " When I got here this morning your book was on top of your desk."
I vowed on that day to always be grateful for St. Anthony's prayers and encourage devotion to him.
Now some of you may think that the book could have been placed there by a kind custodian but they had no way of knowing whose book it was or whose desk to put it on. My name was not in the book only a number.
I encourage you to ask the prayers of St. Anthony and you won't have to walk through life as one condemned but as a child of God who takes good care of His children.
St, Anthony, pray for us.
Mark
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Just About Everywhere!
I went to Mass this weekend at the Santa Cruz Mission in Santa Cruz California, actually at Holy Cross Catholic Church. It is an impressive building. Painted on the ceiling are icons or images of the Holy Apostles. The Apostles are gazing down on us and their faces do not really show a smile in the whole group. I went into a small dark side chapel and there was a beautiful old image of St. Anthony of Padua. It is kind of a hobby of mine to see if there is some representation of St. Anthony in each Church I enter. Rarely will you find a Catholic Church without an image of the Saint in some form.
People will not leave this wonderful Saint alone. He is such a wonderful and powerful intercessor before the throne of God that we need to see and feel that he is with us and the statues or stained glass or images are just reminders. They are an outward sign that reminds us of the reality of the Communion of Saints.
The Saints are not under the Earth. They do not rest in graves with no ability to pray for us. The Saints are united to God and these reminders help us to keep before our eyes what we love within our hearts.
This Mission was destroyed by an earthquake and is now rebuilt through the prayers gifts and sacrifices of the people of the parish. The parish is rather large and the collection (published each week in the bulletin) is over one hundred thousand dollars. The people of this parish are a reminder that if we want we can come together to make "something beautiful for God" as Blessed Teresa of Calcutta used to say.
The Mission of San Antonio in Jolon California has about thirty-five families and the collections I don't think are in the same range. I am sure of the generosity of the people of the San Antonio Mission in Jolon California but the repair work needed to keep the Mission going will cost in the millions to be completed.
Please join me in asking St. Anthony, the Saint who is known for finding things, to intercede for the parish at the Mission to find a way to make the necessary changes and improvements and keep St. Anthony's Shrine open.
Maybe you are the one to help financially. Think about it. Pray about it and please send all donations to:
St. Anthony's Bread
c/o Mission San Antonio de Padua
Box 803
(end of the Mission road)
Jolon CA 93928
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us!
Mark
People will not leave this wonderful Saint alone. He is such a wonderful and powerful intercessor before the throne of God that we need to see and feel that he is with us and the statues or stained glass or images are just reminders. They are an outward sign that reminds us of the reality of the Communion of Saints.
The Saints are not under the Earth. They do not rest in graves with no ability to pray for us. The Saints are united to God and these reminders help us to keep before our eyes what we love within our hearts.
This Mission was destroyed by an earthquake and is now rebuilt through the prayers gifts and sacrifices of the people of the parish. The parish is rather large and the collection (published each week in the bulletin) is over one hundred thousand dollars. The people of this parish are a reminder that if we want we can come together to make "something beautiful for God" as Blessed Teresa of Calcutta used to say.
The Mission of San Antonio in Jolon California has about thirty-five families and the collections I don't think are in the same range. I am sure of the generosity of the people of the San Antonio Mission in Jolon California but the repair work needed to keep the Mission going will cost in the millions to be completed.
Please join me in asking St. Anthony, the Saint who is known for finding things, to intercede for the parish at the Mission to find a way to make the necessary changes and improvements and keep St. Anthony's Shrine open.
Maybe you are the one to help financially. Think about it. Pray about it and please send all donations to:
St. Anthony's Bread
c/o Mission San Antonio de Padua
Box 803
(end of the Mission road)
Jolon CA 93928
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us!
Mark
Friday, June 29, 2012
Just What Is That St. Anthony Bread?
Today most people would say that St. Anthony Bread is one of two things. One is a piece or even a loaf of bread blessed by a Catholic priest asking God to grant healing and blessing to all those who eat it with faith in the prayers of St. Anthony of Padua and the ever loving goodness of God.The bread is a reminder of the many loaves that St. Anthony gave to the poor of his day. He was always ready to give alms and food to the poor. He is patron of the Poor too.
Another type of St. Anthony bread is really a donation given in thanksgiving for favors received from the dear Saint of Padua.
It seems that in 1263, a child drowned near the Basilica of St. Anthony which was
still being built. The mother of the child promised St. Anthony that if the child was restored she would give the child’s
weight in grain to be turned into bread for the poor. Her prayers were answered and the child was raised to life. She promptly kept her promise and was part of the start of a new tradition.
Another woman named Louise Bouffier,
was a bakery shopkeeper in Toulon, France. When her shop could not be opened she called a locksmith who was prepared to break open
her shop door after no key would open it. Bouffier asked the locksmith
to try his keys one more time after she prayed and promised to give
bread to the poor in honor of St. Anthony if the door would open without
force. The door opened and Louise Bouffier built a small shrine in honor of St. Anthony in the back of her shop.
I recommend that you ask the prayers of St. Anthony and when he comes through for you, and he will, you can make a St. Anthony's Bread donation.
To make an offering to St. Anthony Bread in thanksgiving for blessings received, you may send your donation to the Old Mission San Antonio in Jolon California. The address is down below.
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us!
Mark
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Hey! I Just Lost My Keys!
EVERYBODY, seems to know that St. Anthony of Padua is the patron Saint of lost articles. Many people pray the small but ever powerful prayer, "Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony, please look around, something is lost and must be found." It usually will follow that you will find the lost article, usually keys, right where you had just looked.
I want to blog about how many times this prayer and the intercessory prayers of St. Anthony have come to the rescue. I don't know any Catholic who does not have someone in their family that will entreat them to call on St. Anthony and whether they like it or not his intercession before the Lord is awesomely powerful.
My niece who is an adult lost her bank card for what she said was like the fiftieth time and was reluctant to call and have the bank issue number fifty one. She prayed a prayer asking St. Anthony for his intercession and help. She claims in a dream he told her inwardly to look inside the dryer and when she was about to leave the house she remembered and just stuck her hand blindly inside the dryer and it was hidden behind one of the dryer paddles! Wow! Thanks be to God and the prayers of St. Anthony.
I went to the San Antonio Mission in Jolon California and made a donation in thanksgiving for the favor received by my niece. I recommend you make a generous donation to help keep St. Anthony's Mission open. You can find the address and information at the bottom of this blog.
Ask St. Anthony's prayers and make a small donation to the Old Mission.
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us!
Mark
I want to blog about how many times this prayer and the intercessory prayers of St. Anthony have come to the rescue. I don't know any Catholic who does not have someone in their family that will entreat them to call on St. Anthony and whether they like it or not his intercession before the Lord is awesomely powerful.
My niece who is an adult lost her bank card for what she said was like the fiftieth time and was reluctant to call and have the bank issue number fifty one. She prayed a prayer asking St. Anthony for his intercession and help. She claims in a dream he told her inwardly to look inside the dryer and when she was about to leave the house she remembered and just stuck her hand blindly inside the dryer and it was hidden behind one of the dryer paddles! Wow! Thanks be to God and the prayers of St. Anthony.
I went to the San Antonio Mission in Jolon California and made a donation in thanksgiving for the favor received by my niece. I recommend you make a generous donation to help keep St. Anthony's Mission open. You can find the address and information at the bottom of this blog.
Ask St. Anthony's prayers and make a small donation to the Old Mission.
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us!
Mark
Let's Hear It For St. Anthony!
Saint Anthony of Padua is considered one of the most popular Saints in the Catholic and Non-Catholic world. He is so popular I think because he is such a powerful intercessor with Almighty God. When it comes to Saints most people have devotion to those they feel understand and intercede well for them.
This blog is dedicated to St. Anthony and those who ask his prayers. He will intercede for you if you ask his prayers. throughout the course of time we will post about his life and the traditions that have grown around this most popular Saint.
St Anthony Pray for us!
Mark
This blog is dedicated to St. Anthony and those who ask his prayers. He will intercede for you if you ask his prayers. throughout the course of time we will post about his life and the traditions that have grown around this most popular Saint.
St Anthony Pray for us!
Mark
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