As the month of May comes to a close, we are all excited as on the very 1st day of June, begins the 13 days’ Trezen of St. Anthony culminating with the feast on the 13th of June. This is one of the most anticipated events celebrated all over the world. In our Parish too, all the necessary arrangements are underway, at the Tolebando Chapel, to make this Trezen a grand success.
One of the most popular saints of the Catholic faith, St. Anthony was a Portuguese Catholic Priest and a Friar of the Franciscan Order. He was born on 15th August 1195, in Lisbon, Portugal. His original name was Fernando Martins. He was only 36 years old when he died after he became seriously ill. He breathed his last on 13the June 1231 en route to Padua, Italy, where he is buried. He was canonized less than one year later by Pope Gregory IX. Interestingly, upon exhumation some 336 years after his death, the body of St. Anthony was found to be corrupted, yet his tongue was totally incorrupt, so perfect were the teachings that had been formed upon it. He is typically depicted with a book and the Infant Child Jesus and is commonly referred to as the finder of lost articles. We all are aware that St. Anthony is venerated all over the world as the Patron Saint for lost articles, as he has been credited with many miracles involving lost people, lost things and even lost spiritual goods. Many a times, where rains were delayed, devotees specially, the farming community took out a procession with St. Anthony and sought his intercession for urgent rains. They never went empty handed as St. Anthony never fails. The miraculous tongue of St. Anthony, as well as his jaw bone, are displayed in the Basilica of St. Anthony of Padua whereas the rest of his remains are entombed in a separate Chapel.
During his lifetime, St. Anthony travelled all over Italy and France preaching to the people as well as the Friars and attracted large crowds wherever he went. One of the excerpts from his sermons to the crowds, read, “Jesus’ place should always be in the centre of every heart. From this centre, as if from a Sun, emanate rays of grace to each of us”. His fame came more from the impact of his preachings than from miraculous acts. No wonder, then, that only one of the 56 miracles recorded for his canonization occurred during his lifetime. As we all know, Tuesday is known as St. Anthony’s day, as it was on a Tuesday that the funeral procession of St. Anthony took place.
Many of us have obtained favours through the intercession of St. Anthony. Personally, I have great faith and reverence to St. Anthony due to favours obtained. Let us continue to pray to him and seek his blessings and favours. I’m positive our prayers will be answered.
Wishing one and all a very Happy Feast of St. Anthony.
Until we meet again.
Felix Dias