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Our patron: Saint Anthony
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Introduction on the communion of the Saints (from the Catechism of the Catholic Church)

The three states of the Church. "When the Lord comes in glory, and all his angels with him, death will be no more and all things will be subject to him. But at the present time some of his disciples are pilgrims on earth. Others have died and are being purified, while still others are in glory, contemplating 'in full light, God himself triune and one, exactly as he is"'

All of us, however, in varying degrees and in different ways share in the same charity towards God and our neighbours, and we all sing the one hymn of glory to our God. All, indeed, who are of Christ and who have his Spirit form one Church and in Christ cleave together.

"So it is that the union of the wayfarers with the brethren who sleep in the peace of Christ is in no way interrupted, but on the contrary, according to the constant faith of the Church, this union is reinforced by an exchange of spiritual goods."

The intercession of the saints. "Being more closely united to Christ, those who dwell in heaven fix the whole Church more firmly in holiness.... They do not cease to intercede with the Father for us, as they proffer the merits which they acquired on earth through the one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus.... So by their fraternal concern is our weakness greatly helped."493

Do not weep, for I shall be more useful to you after my death and I shall help you then more effectively than during my life

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A biography of Saint Anthony, by Fr. Phillip Sandstrom

SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA (1193-1231). Feast Day: 13 June. 

The holy patron of our Parish is this Franciscan who knew and lived and worked with St. Francis of Assisi himself. Despite having an Italian city as part of his name, he was born at Lisbon in Portugal. He is however buried in Padua, and he was canonized the year after his death. 

Anthony’s formal education was accomplished at Coimbra in Portugal, where the principal subject was the Bible. (This was before the beginning of what we would recognize today as Universities.) His preaching of the Word of God was famously called ‘the jewel case of the Bible,’ and he did prepare for himself and others a series of “Sermons for Sundays.” And then he added “Sermons for Feast Days,” these last commissioned by the papal court itself. He was recognized as a forceful and dynamic preacher, attracting both great admiration and great dislike from the crowds in the churches and market places to whom he spoke. Because of his effective preaching he was also called “the hammer of heretics”. 

Saint Francis asked him to teach theology to his fellow friars at Bologna and Padua, as well as in France at Montpellier, Toulouse and Arles. 

Shortly before his death, St. Anthony retired to Padua where he spent his time preaching, hearing confessions and serving the poor. 

Since the 17th Century, he has been invoked as the finder of things lost or misplaced. The legend recounts that this is because once a novice borrowed Anthony’s prayer book without permission, and he was forced to remember to return it to its proper place by a fearsome apparition. And since the 19th Century there has been the custom of baking ‘St. Anthony’s Bread’ for his feast day. This charitable work, devoted to helping people who have no bread and are starving or otherwise needy, involves blessing the bread at Church and then distributing it after the ceremony. In Sicily huge crown shaped loafs are made up for this purpose.

Usual images of St. Anthony show him with a book (of his sermons) and a lily (for the purity of his preaching and life), and then with the Infant Jesus in his arms (the main subject of his preaching). 

May he bless our Parish as he has always done!

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A prayer to Saint Anthony

Saint Anthony, you are glorious for your miracles and for the condescension of Jesus who came as a little child to lie in your arms. Obtain for me from His bounty the grace which I ardently desire. You were so compassionate toward sinners, do not regard my unworthiness. Let the glory of God be magnified by you in connection with the particular request that I earnestly present to you. {mention your petition} 

As a pledge of my gratitude, I promise to live more faithfully in accordance with the teachings of the church, and to be devoted to the service of the poor whom you loved and still love so greatly. Bless this resolution of min that I may be faithful to it until death. 

Saint Anthony, consoler of all the afflicted, pray for me. 

Saint Anthony, helper of all who invoke you, pray for me. 

Saint Anthony, whom the Infant Jesus loved and honoured so much, pray for me. Amen
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