St. Anthony & St. Francis of Assisi Sterling Medal | Bliss

Saint Anthony of Padua

St. Anthony of Padua (1195–1231), also known as Anthony of Lisbon and the "Evangelical Doctor," was a Franciscan priest renowned for his eloquent preaching and numerous miracles. Born into a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal, he abandoned worldly comforts to dedicate his life to Christ. His powerful oratory earned him widespread admiration, and when his remains were exhumed years after his death, his tongue was found incorrupt, symbolizing his extraordinary gift of speech.

Canonized on May 30, 1232, less than a year after his passing, St. Anthony was declared a Doctor of the Church for his theological contributions. He is the patron saint of a diverse array of causes, including lost items, the poor, travelers, American Indians, animals, Brazil, Portugal, fishermen, pregnant women, the elderly, faith in the Blessed Sacrament, Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land, harvests, horses, mariners, oppressed people, shipwrecks, starvation, sterility, swineherds, Tigua Indians, travel hostesses, and watermen. His feast day is celebrated on June 13.

St. Anthony’s legacy endures through his miracles, particularly in helping recover lost items and aiding the poor, making him one of the most cherished saints worldwide.