Thursday, June 13, 2019

Saint Anthony of Padua

As we remember Saint Anthony today, we recall our mothers and dads, uncles and aunts begging him to help them find lost objects. "Dear Saint Anthony, please look around. Something is lost and must be found." Saint Anthony always helped. The saints after all are our family and on their "constant intercession...we rely for unfailing help." They care for us, because they are with Christ in God. We are not forgotten, we are connected.

The witnesses who have preceded us into the kingdom, especially those whom the Church recognizes as saints, share in the living tradition of prayer by the example of their lives, the transmission of their writings, and their prayer today. They contemplate God, praise him and constantly care for those whom they have left on earth. When they entered into the joy of their Master, they were "put in charge of many things." Their intercession is their most exalted service to God's plan. We can and should ask them to intercede for us and for the whole world.  from  the Catechism of the Catholic Church

Drawing of Saint Anthony of Padua by Guercino.