The Feast of St. Anthony of Padua - 2023

Dear Rev. Fathers, Sisters, Brothers and Lay faithful,

Greetings in the precious name of Jesus !

This month, the Catholic Church commemorates the feast of St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) on June 13 every year. He is fittingly called "Kodi Arputhar" in Tamil, meaning Dispenser of Crore Miracles since he is credited with several miracles involving lost people, things, and even spiritual goods. He is one of the most beloved saints in the Church and one of the most well-known early disciples of St. Francis of Assisi.

St. Anthony’s feast day cheers also the Catholics in the diocese of Palayamkottai which commemorates the same feast in various parishes, especially at the Shrine of Puliampatti, the earliest and the biggest shrine of St. Anthony in the Diocese. The history of the shrine starts with a miracle done by St. Anthony to a Hindu man. Obviously, this shrine is known to be the birthplace of several miracles. Pilgrims come in droves here as their beliefs and prayers once reposed are not left unanswered. The pilgrims have a staunch belief that the pervading spirit of the saint dwells in this secluded corner and it has gained sanctity over a period of time. There are also several other parishes in the diocese which have St. Antony as their patron permeating the sanctity of the Saint in their parochial life.

St. Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal. He became a canon regular and then a Franciscan preaching the Gospel everywhere in Portugal and Italy. Both as a theologian and as a popular preacher he fought vigorously against heresy. Because of his success in converting heretics, he was called the "Hammer of Heretics". He was known for his powerful preaching, vast knowledge of scripture, and undying love and devotion to the poor and the sick. His preaching was inspired by the love of God and of souls and had an extraordinary power of conviction; it was filled with the penetrating power of the Bible. Pope Gregory IX, who heard him preach, called him during his lifetime the Arca Testamenti, meaning "the living repository of the Holy Scriptures". After a series of Lenten sermons, Anthony’s strength gave out and he went into seclusion at Camposanpiero but soon had to be carried back to Padua. He did not reach the city but was taken to the Poor Clare convent at Arcella, where he died at the age of 36 on 13 June 1231. From the day of his death, innumerable miracles caused the faithful to invoke him as a wonderworker of untiring benevolence.

He was exceptionally canonized within a year of his death by Pope Gregory IX on 30 May 1232for his spiritual teachings and devotion to the Church. Later, Pope Pius XII, when he proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church in 1946, declared that he based all that he said on the texts of the Gospels, and could justly be called the Evangelical Doctor. So simple and resounding was his teaching of the Catholic Faith, that even the most unlettered and the innocent could understand his messages. It is for this reason he was declared a Doctor of the Church. St. Anthony is celebrated as a teacher and preacher extraordinaire.

Our devotion to St. Anthony is indeed commendable and praiseworthy. The collect prayer for the holy mass on the feast day of St. Anthony reads thus: "Almighty ever-living God, who gave Saint Anthony of Padua to your people as an outstanding preacher and an intercessor in their need, grant that, with his assistance, as we follow the teachings of the Christian life, we may know your help in every trial." This prayer enumerates the need of realising God’s help in our trial and growing in His relationship with the assistance of our saint. As Jesus said to the people who came in search of him for the miracles, "You seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labour for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you" (Jn 6:27), the miracles must lead us to beyond our current satisfaction and experience how much the Lord is active in our life. The miracles wrought by the Saints ought to help us to go deeper in our life of faith in Jesus. On June 13, as we honour St. Anthony in a special way and thank him for his many intercessions in our needs, let us ask our Saint to lead us to Jesus. St. Anthony, be our patron, our protector, and our advocate in life and in death.

With my cordial blessings.

Yours devotedly in Our Lord,

+ Most.Rev. S. Antonysamy
Bishop of Palayamkottai