In 1195, Fernando de Buglioni was born in Portugal to a noble family. He joined the Augustinians and devoted himself to study and prayer. Inspired by Franciscans who were martyred in Morocco, with permission he left the Augustinian order, joined the Franciscans, and took the name Anthony. After arriving in Assisi, he quietly worked as a dishwasher until he was called upon to perform an unprepared address. Anthony delivered a powerful sermon that left everyone awestruck, and his life started yet another new course. He taught theology, preached against heresies in southern France, spread the Gospel from Rome to Florence to Venice, advised the pope, performed miracles, and converted whole towns at a time. He died in Padua in 1231.
CHALLENGE
St. Anthony of Padua was such an eloquent and powerful speaker that he was named an Evangelical Doctor of the Church, and his tongue has remained incorrupt. Not everyone is blessed with the grace to speak as convincingly as St. Anthony, but we can all pray that the Holy Spirit speak through us. From now on, start your day by praying this line from Psalm 51: “Lord, open my lips and my mouth will proclaim your praise.”
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