13/06/2025
6 FACTS ABOUT ST. ANTHONY DE PADUA
June 13th is the memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, a Franciscan friar and patron of lost items, poor, and travelers. In line with the Church celebration, allow us to provide you 6 amazing facts about the said saint that you may have not known.
1. HE IS RECOGNIZED AS THE MOST MIRACULOUS SAINT.
—He has been credited with many miracles, being patron of lost items, poor, and travelers.
2. HIS REAL NAME WAS NOT ANTHONY (AND HE WAS NOT AN ITALIAN.)
–Saint Anthony of Padua's real name was Fernando Martins de Bulhões. Born in Portugal, he took the name Anthony when he became a Franciscan friar.
3. HE IS KNOWN AS "THE SAINT OF THE WORLD".
–Pope Leon XIII gave him that title because he is venerated all over the world.
4. SEVERAL PEOPLE SEEK HIS INTERCESSION IN PRAYING FOR A GOOD HUSBAND OR WIFE.
—Many Catholic singles ask him for a good husband/wife.
5. HE WAS CANONIZED ONLY A YEAR AFTER HIS DEATH.
–Pope Gregory IX canonized him only one year after his death in Padua.
6. A MAN DOUBTED THE REAL PRESENCE OF JESUS IN THE EUCHARIST HE ENCOUNTERED SAINT ANTHONY... AND A MULE.
Saint Anthony of Padua lived during the 13th century and possessed a great zeal for the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. One day, Saint Anthony heard of a man in Rimini named named Bononillo who did not share the same belief. In fact, Bononillo openly mocked people who believed that Jesus was truly present under the appearances of bread and wine.
Saint Anthony tried his hardest to convince Bononillo with the proofs of scripture and argument, but discovered that the man was as stubborn as a mule. Then Saint Anthony received an inspiration. He challenged the wealthy merchant, “If the mule you ride adored the Body of Christ in the Eucharist, would you believe in the truth of the Blessed Sacrament?” Bononillo agreed, but decided to raise the stakes. Bononillo would starve his mule for three days and then bring it to the town square. Saint Anthony would bring the Blessed Sacrament to that same square. The mule then would be put in front of a pile of hay and Saint Anthony would stand a few yards away with the Blessed Sacrament. What happened next would decide the victor.
To prepare for the event, Saint Anthony fasted for three days, and Bononillo in turn told everyone in the town. Bononillo was convinced that the mule would think nothing of the Eucharist and ravenously eat the pile of hay.
On the day of the test, Bononillo brought his mule and placed the hay under the mule’s nose. Saint Anthony came and stood a distance away with the Holy Eucharist. Defying all odds, the mule turned his head and walked over to Saint Anthony. When the mule was close, the animal bent his front legs and kneeled in adoration! When Bononillo saw this miraculous change of events, he immediately knelt down and professed his belief in the truth of the Real Presence.
Sources:
[1] Aleteia | St. Anthony and the mule who knelt down before the Eucharist
[2] Aleteia | Why is St. Anthony of Padua depicted holding the Child Jesus?
[3] ChurchPOP | 6 Amazing Things You Probably Didn’t Know About St. Anthony of Padua
[4] Franciscan Media | Saint Anthony of Padua
