St. Anthony of Padua: The Finder of Lost Things

On June 13^th  of each year, the Church celebrates the feast day of St. Anthony of Padua, a beloved saint revered for his powerful intercession in finding lost things.

St. Anthony was a Franciscan friar and Doctor of the Church known for his powerful preaching and unwavering faith. While the exact origin remains shrouded in tradition, St. Anthony became associated with finding lost items after a fellow friar misplaced a precious psalter. Legend says that after Anthony’s prayers, the psalter was miraculously recovered, solidifying his reputation as the patron saint of lost things.

People of all faiths have come to rely on St. Anthony’s intercession, not just for misplaced keys or wallets, but also for lost loved ones, lost jobs, and even a renewed sense of faith. Here’s a traditional prayer to St. Anthony:

A Prayer to St. Anthony

“O Holy St. Anthony gentlest of Saints, your love for God and charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me [mention request here].

O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms. The gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.”

Whether you’ve misplaced a cherished item or yearn for something more profound, St. Anthony serves as a powerful reminder of the hope and guidance we can find through prayer and faith.