Be on the Lookout!

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alert, attentive, conduit, new paths, nothing happens by chance, serendipitous, St. Anthony, The Sophia Center for Spirituality, the Word, will of God

Today is the feast of St. Anthony of Padua. For many of us (“cradle Catholics” especially) St Anthony is the finder of lost items. When we can’t find our keys, our cell phones or even, and most especially, a treasured possession like a diamond engagement ring, the first piece of advice that is given is often: “Pray to St. Anthony.” There’s even a special prayer at such times. The version I learned was: “Something is lost and cannot be found. Dear St. Anthony, please look around.” Whether it is the prayer or the focus that it affords the searcher, there is usually a good outcome to the process!

In attributing that power to St. Anthony, we sometimes miss the amazingly gifted man that he was. There’s lots to read in his biographies and much to admire – even from a quick internet search. It can seem that much of his life was serendipitous as he responded to calls from others and from events that led him to new paths – e.g. preaching at a service when the scheduled preacher fell ill that convinced all listeners (himself included) that he was an inspired conduit of the word of God. Upon reflection, however, it is clear that Anthony was simply always alert to the will of God and attentive to the voice of God’s Spirit in the events of his life.

The adage, “Nothing happens by chance” comes to mind as a thought for the day and a reminder to be on the lookout for God speaking in any moment – even catching us by surprise!

The Power of Prayer

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franciscan, lost, power of prayer, St. Anthony, St. Francis of Assisi, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

I’ve just been reading about St. Anthony of Padua on this, his feast day. While I have known many facts about this revered saint, (primarily because of having served in an Italian parish for eight years) stories at http://www.franciscanmedia.org piqued my interest in going deeper. Most of what I read was familiar: the fact that he was born in Portugal rather than Italy, his stint in the Augustinian religious order where his studies gifted him with theological and scriptural prowess before he joined the Franciscan friars, the fact that he was a contemporary of St. Francis of Assisi, etc. There is so much to admire about this saint whose life took many twists and turns in the brief 35 years before his death in 1231. Even Wikipedia was a source for new learnings.

The one thing that most everyone knows about St. Anthony is his knack of finding lost things, even to this day for all of us, but today was the first time I read what seems to be the original story of this gift. (Remember that this came from Wikipedia but still…) The incident occurred in Bologna and concerned a favorite book of Psalms belonging to Anthony. It was important to him because of his notes and comments included there which he used to teach his students. It seems that a novice who left the order took it with him. When he noticed that it was missing, Anthony prayed that it would be returned or found and his prayer was answered when the thief was moved to return it. The book is said to be preserved in the Franciscan friary in Bologna.

Mystery solved! And aren’t we all grateful for Anthony’s power of prayer!

 

 

 

 

 

Lost and Found

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losing one's self, lost, St. Anthony, The Sophia Center for Spirituality

Today our Church celebrates the feast of St. Anthony of Padua, a man whose life took many twists and turns in his consistent search to serve God. For most Roman Catholics (and maybe others!) he is the one who finds lost items. I learned early in life the short poem: “Something is lost and cannot be found. Dear St Anthony, please look around.” No matter how psychologists try to explain the phenomenon, it seems as if St. Anthony is truly at work for the good of all faithful practitioners of this prayer! From a simple declaration of “I can’t find my keys” to a more serious concern like “I’ve lost my paycheck/my wedding ring/the copy of my dissertation,” the most common response of most Catholics over 40 years old is “Pray to St. Anthony” and stories of successful conclusions abound!

As a lovely conclusion to the brief biography of Anthony on the website wwww.americancatholic.org I read the following this morning: He whom popular devotion has nominated as the finder of lost objects found himself by losing himself totally in the providence of God. In my opinion that’s the best possible example of “finding” and serves as a perfect epitaph for this beloved saint!