The Power Of Prayer

Oh my goodness, what can I say to express my gratitude to dear St. Anthony? I am Catholic, though a very lapsed one, but have never abandoned the belief in the power of prayer. Two days ago I lost my glasses. I'm a senior citizen and for reasons too lengthy and complicated to go into, getting them replaced at this point would have been extremely difficult. I took your blog's advice, asked St. Anthony for his help, and just went back outside for the third time to retrace my steps as much as I could recall through a veritable jungle of overgrown vegetation. I took a rake with me this time and sure enough there they were shining in the hot afternoon sun - without a scratch! I have absolutely no doubt that had it not been for his intercession, IF I ever saw them again they would have been destroyed. I am taking this as a sign that Our Lord and the saints do indeed listen and watch over us and I will do my best not to be a stranger in the future. Thank you, St. Anthony, and to you good people for reminding us to keep the faith.

Thank you C.L. for sharing your story of finding something much needed through the intersession of Good St. Anthony - may he help us all find our way closer to God~

St. Anthony Novena – Day 13, World’s Greatest Saint

A blessed Feast of Saint Anthony to all of you~~ Welcome back for our last meditation, today’s theme is St. Anthony, the world’s greatest saint. We are in the Basilica, at the back of the Saint’s Tomb: thousands of people every day touch this stone as they say their prayers to St. Anthony. Almost four million people come every year to Padua to visit his tomb.

St. Anthony Novena – Day 12, Intercessor before God

Today the theme is Saint Anthony, Intercessor before God. Fr. Mario is in the Chapel of St. Anthony’s relics, where we can find the reliquary with St. Anthony’s tongue; the tongue through which he constantly prayed, interceding for individuals, the Church and the world.

St. Anthony Novena – Day 11, Defender of the Persecuted

Saint Anthony was a defender of the persecuted, nowadays we would call him a “human rights defender”. He helped children, elderly people, women and even prisoners.

St. Anthony Novena – Day 10, Life Counselor

Today’s theme is Saint Anthony, life counselor. According to St. Anthony’s biographers, though he was a very learned person, he was so good at preaching that even children could understand him. He was the perfect counselor. Guided by the Holy Spirit, his advice was always insightful, Scripture based, unique and practical.

St. Anthony Novena – Day 9, Comforter Of The Afflicted

Today’s theme is Saint Anthony, comforter of the afflicted. St. Anthony recognizes that life is a rough journey full of difficulties, but he knows that no human being makes this journey alone: the Holy Spirit is with each one of us.

St. Anthony Novena – Day 8, Apostle Of Forgiveness

Today's reflection is on Saint Anthony, apostle of forgiveness: only God knows how many people came to St. Anthony for confession, received God’s forgiveness for their sins, and went away forgiven, filled with joy, and ready to make restitution. Pace e bene – peace and all good.

St. Anthony Novena – Day 7, Peacemaker

Today's reflection is on St. Anthony the peacemaker. He was a true Franciscan, and many people were touched by his peacemaking efforts. He strove to bring peace between people, and between God and the individual.

St. Anthony's Relics Visit To Ireland, Scotland, & England, 2016

Thousands of people are expected to visit the relics of St. Anthony when they are brought to Ireland, Knock shrine, and the UK this June. First Class relics of St. Anthony from St. Anthony’s Basilica in Padua, Italy, where his tomb is located, will be taken to churches in Ireland, Scotland, and England for veneration. At each church the relics will remain exposed during special Masses, at the conclusion of which all those attending will be invited to approach the reliquary for a blessing. See below for tour schedule.

RELIC TOUR PROGRAM:

IRELAND

THURSDAY, JUNE 9
TIPPERARY CAHIR
St. Mary's Parish
T:052 7443447
12 noon; 7.30 pm: Masses;
Veneration from after 12 noon Mass

FRIDAY, JUNE 10
KILLARNEY
St. Mary's Cathedral
T: 064 6631014
10.30am; 6.15 pm: Masses;
Veneration all day

SATURDAY, JUNE 11
KNOCK
Basilica of Our Lady
T: 094 9388100
3.00pm (Polish); 7.30 pm: Masses
11.00am: Veneration all day

SUNDAY, JUNE 12
SLIGO
St. Mary's Cathedral
T: 071 9162670
12.00noon; 7.00pm: Masses
Veneration all day after 12noon Mass

MONDAY, JUNE 13 Saint Anthony's Feast Day
DUBLIN
St. Mary's Pro Cathedral
T: 353 1 874 5441
Masses 12.45pm; 5.45pm with Archbishop Diarmuid Martin
Veneration continues between Masses up to 8pm

TUESDAY, JUNE 14
LONGFORD
St. Mel's Cathedral
T: 043 334 6465
1.00pm; 6.30pm (with Bishop Duffy):
Masses; Veneration all day

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 15 - THURSDAY, JUNE 16
DERRY
St. Eugene's Cathedral
T: 028 7137 7494
Wednesday 15 June
Formal welcome of the relics at St Eugene's at 12noon
Veneration continues until 7.30pm Mass
Veneration continues after Mass until 10pm
Thursday 16 June
Mass 8am and 10am
Veneration continues up to 1pm.

THURSDAY, JUNE 16 - FRIDAY, JUNE 17
ARMAGH
St. Patrick's Cathedral
T: 028 3752 2802
Thursday 16 June
Veneration from 4.00pm
7.30pm Mass with Archbishop Eamon Martin
Friday 17 June
Mass 10am
Veneration continues until 1pm

Britain June 19 - 28

SCOTLAND

SUNDAY, JUNE 19
PAISLEY, SCOTLAND
St. Mirin's Cathedral
T: 0141 889 2404
11am Bishop John Keenan will process relics from diocesan office to cathedral
Masses: 12.00noon with Bishop John Keenan; 2.30pm (Polish); 6.30pm
Veneration: 11.00am; 1.00-2.30pm; 3.30-6.30pm; 7.15-8.00pm

ENGLAND

MONDAY, JUNE 20
MIDDLESBROUGH
St. Mary's Cathedral
T: 01642 597750
12.00noon (Bishop Drainey); 6.30pm: Masses 9.00am (sung prayer); 1.00pm (sermon-Fr. Mario); 4.30pm (choral vespers)
9.30-12.00noon; 1.30-4.30pm; 5.00-8.00pm: Veneration

FROM TUESDAY, JUNE 21 TO WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22
MANCHESTER, SALFORD
St. John's Cathedral
T: 0161-817-2210

Tuesday: 12.10pm: Mass;
Veneration all day from 11.00am;
Wednesday: 10.00am: Mass 9.00-10.0am; 10.45am-12.10pm; 1.00pm till late afternoon: Veneration

THURSDAY JUNE 23
SHEFFIELD
Cathedral of St. Marie
T: 0114-272-2522
Masses: 12.45pm with Bishop Ralph Heskett; 5.30pm:
Veneration: 10.15-11.15am; 1.30-5.00pm;6.15-7.00pm 11.30-12.30 (Holy Hour); 12.30-12.45pm (Prayer)

FRIDAY, JUNE 24
SHREWSBURY
Cathedral of Our Lady Help of Christians
T: 01743.364.256
Veneration from 11am to 7.30pm
Masses: 12.15pm; 7.30pm

SATURDAY, JUNE 25
BIRMINGHAM
St. Chad's Cathedral
T: 0121 236 5535
Mass 10.00am; 4.30pm Vigil Mass for Sunday
Veneration all day until 8pm

FROM SUNDAY, JUNE 26 TO TUESDAY, JUNE 28
LONDON
St. Anthony's Parish
56 St. Anthony's Road
Forest Gate
T: 020 8472 0433
Sunday:
Mass 12.00noon:
Veneration 1pm to 8pm:
Monday:
Masses 7.45am;10am: 6pm with Bishop Alan Williams
Veneration 1pm to 8pm:
Tuesday:
Mass 10am
Veneration from 10.30am to 3pm

St. Anthony Novena – Day 6, Saint Of Miracles

Today's reflection is on Saint Anthony, the saint of miracles. The Saints are intimately connected to God, and St. Anthony is next to Our Father, constantly pulling at God’s sleeve, interceding with Our Lord for people who need help.

St. Anthony Novena – Day 5, Preacher Of The Word

Saint Anthony’s genius for preaching was discovered almost by chance and how he became one of the most remarkable preachers in Catholic history.

St. Anthony Novena – Day 4, Friend Of The poor

St. Anthony, father of the poor, comforter of the needy. Saint Anthony not only preached about the plight of the poor, he also tried to remedy the situation through tangible works of charity together with his fellow friars.

St. Anthony Novena – Day 3, Hope For Those Who Are Ill

The theme of this third meditation is Saint Anthony, hope for those who are ill. St. Anthony was always very concerned about sick people, and many are the miracles he performed to help them.

St. Anthony Novena – Day 2, Liberator Of Prisoners

Today’s theme is Anthony, liberator of prisoners. Fr. Mario reminds us that Anthony was really concerned about both real prisoners, victims of unfair laws, and people imprisoned spiritually, enslaved by sin and evil. Pace e bene – peace and all good.

St. Anthony Novena – Day 1, Singer Of The Virgin Mary

All St. Anthony's devotees around the world are invited to join the friars of the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua, Italy, to prepare for the feast of our beloved Saint. As they did last year, this year once again they present a series of short video meditations for the 13-Day Novena to St. Anthony: every day, from May 31 to June 12, they will post on their Facebook Page a video meditation about the figure and spirituality of the Paduan saint, filmed at some of the most inspiring locations in the Basilica. Don’t forget to join them on June 13 for Saint Anthony's Feast Day Mass, which will be streamed live on their website, from the High Altar of the Basilica at 10:00 AM (CET) Finally, they are preparing a big surprise for June 13... don't miss it, keep following their website and Facebook Page.