St. Anthony of Padua

In 1210, Fernando joined the Order of Canons Regular of the Holy Cross. He spent his first two years at the Abbey of San Vincenzo in Lisbon, then stayed at the monastery of Santa Croce in Coimbra, which was then the capital of Portugal. He remained at the monastery for about eight years, devoting himself diligently to theological studies. It is likely that here he was ordained a priest. 

In 1220, Fernando decides to leave the canons and join the Order of St. Francis. As he himself later emphasized, the decisive impulse to become a Friar Minor was the Franciscans' missionary expedition to Morocco to convert African Muslims. Well, in 1219, five brothers who went on this mission suffered martyrdom in Africa. Their bodies were returned to Coimbra, which he witnessed. Wanting to further emphasize this marked change in his life, he decided to change his baptismal name: from Fernando to Anthony in honor of the holy Eastern monk to whom the Olivais hermitage in Coimbra, where the first Portuguese Franciscans and Fernando lived, was dedicated.

As a Franciscan, he became involved in pastoral work and preaching. His sermons became famous. His special gift of eloquence gathered large crowds around him. He soon left for Morocco to teach there. However, illness prevented him from continuing his journey. He stayed near Forlì, Italy, where he worked with the poor and homeless. Then, in accordance with the will of his superiors, he ministered in Lombardy, in addition, he taught at the universities of Montpellier and Toulouse. He was also an envoy to Pope Gregory IX, who called his sermons a Bible casket and ordered him to write sermons for feast days. On May 30, 1227, Anthony was elected provincial, and for the following three years he devoted himself to writing sermons. In June 1230, the Pope relieved him of these duties, when Anthony settled in the Monastery of Saint Mary in Padua. The following year he fell seriously ill with dropsy and died on June 13, 1231, aged 36. 

On May 30, 1232, Pope Gregory IX declared him a saint - this came just 352 days after his death, the shortest term in Church history. On January 16, 1946, Pope Pius XII proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church; he is also known as the "Evangelical Doctor." His memorial or feast day in the Catholic Church is celebrated on the day anniversary of his death (June 13) and is lavishly celebrated in Lisbon.

In iconography, St. Anthony is depicted in the Franciscan habit. He is most often shown with the baby Jesus, whom he holds in his arms. This refers to the legend of Anthony's visitation by the infant Jesus, who was said to have kissed him and assured him of God's love. His attributes are: a book - a symbol of learning , a lily - purity, fire or flaming heart - zeal. It is also worth noting that the book also refers to the legendary theft of the psalter, which contained notes for sermons. The helpless saint, after a long search, asked for God's help in prayer. At that time, the repentant thief, influenced by God's grace, returned and handed over the psalter. The book may also refer to the Bible - for it was Anthony's beloved reading. The book is also a symbol of a theological lecturer. Anthony was a highly respected preacher and was called a "hammer on heretics."