13/06/2026
Saint Anthony of Padua (1195–1231) was a Portuguese Catholic priest and friar of the Order of Friars Minor, renowned for his preaching, deep knowledge of Scripture, and care for the poor.
Quick Facts
* Born: Lisbon, Portugal (then the Kingdom of Portugal)
* Birth name: Fernando Martins de Bulhões
* Died: Padua, Italy, at age 36
* Canonized: Less than a year after his death, one of the fastest canonizations in Church history
* Title: Saint Anthony of Padua
* Declared a Doctor of the Church: 1946 by Pope Pius XII
Why Is He Famous?
Saint Anthony is best known for:
* Powerful preaching and teaching of the Bible
* Miracles attributed to him during and after his life
* Being the patron saint invoked for lost items
* His devotion to Jesus and the poor
Many people know the traditional prayer:
“Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony, please come around; something is lost and cannot be found.”
Patronages
He is the patron saint of:
* Lost articles
* Travelers
* The poor
* Fishermen
* Pregnant women and childbirth
Common Depictions
Saint Anthony is often shown:
* Holding the Infant Jesus
* Carrying a lily, symbolizing purity
* Holding a Bible
Feast Day
His feast day is celebrated on June 13 in the Catholic Church.
A Well-Known Shrine
The major shrine dedicated to him is the Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua, Italy, which attracts millions of pilgrims each year.
If you’d like, I can also provide:
* A prayer to Saint Anthony
* His biography in more detail
* Famous miracles attributed to him
* The story behind why he became associated with finding lost things.
