Thomas Griffin 6/13/24 (For Crisis Magazine)
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June 13th is the feast day of St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231). On this day, in 1231, 36-year-old Anthony, a Franciscan priest, was given last rites and died. Although most people are familiar with St. Anthony because he is the patron saint of lost objects, his nickname during his lifetime was “The Hammer of Heretics.” It is this title, and his true impact, that we need to recover instead of any important material object.
Anthony’s feast day also falls in the midst of pride month. Catholics are bombarded with flags and mottos that stand against biological truths and the true nature of love. Many of us will be angry and upset. We might be pushed to shake our heads or be brought to absolute confusion concerning how our culture arrived in this place. For guidance on how to respond, we need St. Anthony.
Like St. Francis of Assisi, who was Anthony’s contemporary, the saint of Padua is also frequently misunderstood. Francis did not simply love animals and recite poetry. He was completely captivated by Christ and gave his entire being over to serving Him. In similar fashion, Anthony was not a human lost and found. Anthony’s most important qualities were his simplicity and his ability to preach the Gospel.
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Thomas Griffin is the chairperson of the religion department at a Catholic high school on Long Island where he lives with his wife and two sons. He has a masters degree in theology and is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Empty Tomb Project: The Magazine.
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