A Special Saint
Anthony of Padua is a saint loved, invoked, and known throughout the world. His life is rich in episodes that have gone down in history and are known to everyone: the sermon to the fish on the beaches of Rimini, for example, is very famous because people were unwilling to listen to him.
Anthony is a friar who does not become discouraged but, with unshakable faith, obtains everything from God; as when in Lisbon - through his intercession - he brings back to life a child who, having fallen from a boat, had drowned.
His fame is immense as he travels the roads of Padua and, after his death, can only grow until it reaches every corner of the earth.
Saint Anthony is special, and the preparation for his feast can be nothing but special too. Unlike usual, in fact, a novena is not held, but a thirteen-day devotion!
OriginΒ
In the Basilica of the Saint in Padua, in Franciscan churches, as well as in many families, the feast and devotion to Saint Anthony are accompanied and supported by a series of thirteen invocations - the thirteen-day devotion, in fact - in which material and spiritual requests are interwoven.
The custom of the βThirteen Tuesdaysβ is also widespread: prayers and reflections in honor of the Saint. This custom links the last two milestones in the life of Saint Anthony: the day of his death, Friday, June 13, and the day of his funeral, Tuesday, June 17, 1231.
Tuesday is especially dear to Saint Anthony because his funeral, a true triumph, was celebrated on the Tuesday following his death. Saint Anthony himself, appearing in Bologna in 1617, recommended praying to him for several consecutive Tuesdays: the person to whom he appeared obeyed and received the grace she had asked for. Because Saint Anthony keeps the promises he makes!
Devotion
The thirteen days of preparation for the feast are linked to the popular belief that Anthony grants his devotees thirteen graces each day, as well as to the fact that his feast falls on the 13th of the month.
The thirteen-day devotion is prayed from May 31 to June 12 (the eve of the feast) or, if you wish to observe the thirteen Tuesdays, it begins on the third Tuesday of March.
But you can turn to the Saint at any time of year to ask for his intercession and feel him close, especially in the most difficult moments.Β
A companion on our journey
Saint Anthony is a wonderful companion on our journey who, from heaven, continues to accompany all those who turn to him for advice, help, a kind word, or comfort.
Praying the thirteen-day devotion is an opportunity to get to know him better; during the thirteen days, the most significant episodes of his life with God and with people are presented.
Anthony, who saw a hungry mule bow before the Eucharist as it passed, who reconciled a jealous husband with his wife, who defended the poor and admonished the greedy... still has much to teach us about life and love!
