16/06/2026
Actions speak louder than words; let your words teach and your actions speak." โ St. Anthony of Padua
Today, Tuesday 16th June, we officially celebrate the Feast of St. Anthony of Padua, one of the most beloved saints in the Catholic Church at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Bahrain at the 6.30 pm mass.We warmly and faithfully invite every one of you to join us in this Holy Eucharistic celebration to pray together and receive St. Anthony's blessings.
Through the Ministry of the Poor of St. Anthony [POSA] each of you has been the hands and feet of St. Anthony, bringing hope to the hopeless and comfort to the suffering. With this in mind, arrangements have been made for everyone to participate in the Offertory. You are requested to bring your offerings (cash or kind) as a token of your gratitude and devotion. These items will later be distributed to those in need.
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Many Catholics have heard an old tradition that on St. Anthonyโs feast day, heaven feels especially close and prayers seem to rise with unusual power. While the Church does not formally teach that heaven literally โopensโ on this day, the tradition points to something beautiful and true: feast days can become moments of extraordinary grace, when our hearts are stirred to pray with deeper faith, greater hope, and childlike trust.
St. Anthonyโs story is filled with wonder.
He was born Fernando Martins in Lisbon, Portugal, into a wealthy family and could have lived a comfortable life. Instead, he gave everything to God. He first entered the Augustinian order and devoted himself to prayer and study. But his life changed when the bodies of five Franciscan missionaries, martyred for preaching Christ in Morocco, were brought home for burial. Seeing those men who had given everything for Jesus set his heart on fire.
Anthony longed to become a martyr himself. He joined the Franciscans and traveled to Morocco, hoping to preach Christ even unto death. But God had other plans. He became gravely ill and was forced to return home. Even then, his ship was blown off course by a violent storm and landed in Italy instead. What looked like failure was actually providence.
At first, nobody knew what a treasure they had in him. He was quiet, humble, and was assigned ordinary tasks, likely kitchen work and washing dishes. Then one day, when no preacher showed up for an ordination, Anthony was asked to speak simply because someone had to.
The moment he opened his mouth, everyone was stunned.
The quiet friar was a giant.
His knowledge of Scripture was extraordinary. His preaching was so powerful that crowds packed streets and churches just to hear him speak. Hardened sinners returned to Confession. Hearts softened. Souls came back to God.
Tradition even tells us that when some refused to listen to his preaching, St. Anthony went to the shore and preached to the fish insteadโand the fish lifted their heads above the water as though listening to the Gospel. Whether one sees this literally or symbolically, the message is unforgettable: all creation recognizes its Creator, even when men resist Him.
Many people know St. Anthony as the saint who helps find lost things. And yes, countless Catholics have called on him after losing keys, wallets, wedding rings, and important papers.
But perhaps his greatest work is helping recover what matters far more.
Lost faith.
Lost peace.
Lost joy.
Lost marriages.
Lost children.
Lost hope.
Nothing is too far gone for God.
St. Anthony worked many miracles during his lifeโhealings, conversions, deliverance, and aid for the poor. Even after death, miracles continued through his intercession. So many miracles were reported that he was canonized less than a year after his death, one of the fastest canonizations in Church history.
When his tomb was opened years later, something astonishing was found: though the rest of his body had returned to dust, his tongue remained incorrupt.
The tongue that preached Christ.
The tongue that spoke truth.
The tongue that helped lead countless souls home.
If you are carrying something heavy, June 13 is a beautiful day to pray.
Ask boldly.
Hope stubbornly.
Trust deeply.
Bring St. Anthony your impossible prayer.
And rememberโheaven is never far away.
St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us.
