On this day in 1231, Anthony of Padua died at the age of 35. From a noble Portuguese family, he first joined the Canons Regular, but when he encountered the monks from the newly formed Franciscan order, some of whom had just returned from Africa, where the need was very great, he was swept up by their missionary zeal and compassion for the poor, and got permission to leave his order and become a Franciscan.
He was very learned, especially in Scripture, but modestly hid his learning-—until one day ordered to speak to an assembled group when confusion created a loss of someone to preach. He tried to get out of it. Too bad, you took a vow of obedience. And that was the beginning of his fame as a preacher, as the assembled people began to fall on their knees and be converted.
Although he was from Lisbon, he is known as Anthony of Padua because that is where his miracles were performed. He remained a friend of the poor, and stayed humble in spite of his fame and learning, and was a great lover of Scripture, the greatest preacher of his day, with a passion for lost souls.
Posted June 13, 2017 on Facebook
Thanks, firebrand.