Memorial of Saint Anthony of Padua, priest and Doctor of the Church
(II Corinthians 1:18-22; Matthew 5:13-15)
Like all the saints, Anthony beamed the light of Christ as
Jesus exhorts his disciples in today’s gospel.
Anthony joined an Augustinian monastery at a young age. After mastering Sacred Scripture, he became
enthralled with the hope of suffering martyrdom for Christ. He left the Augustinians to become a
Franciscan missionary among the Moors in Morocco.
Suffering from poor health, Anthony was returning to his
native Portugal when his shipped was blown off-course. He landed in Sicily and
worked in Italy for most of the rest of his life. He became famous for his preaching, his
teaching, and his commitment to the Franciscan ideal of poverty and
service. Called on for many tasks and
responsibilities, Anthony’s tender health dissipated. He died at the age of thirty-six and was
canonized less than a year later.
Anthony was a bright light whose brilliance we are not
likely to share. Nevertheless we can reflect
Christ’s light in the world. With
selfless deeds and edifying words we give testimony to him who died for all.
