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Anthony of Padua: Saint of the People: His Life, Legends and Popular Devotions
Anthony was a simple and humble friar who preached the Good News lovingly and with fearless courage. The youth whom his fellow friars thought was uneducated became one of the great preachers and theologians of his day. He was a man of great penance and apostolic zeal. But he was primarily a saint of the people.—from Chapter One by Leonard Foley, O.F.M.
First published as Saint Anthony of Padua, The Story of His Life and Popular Devotions , edited by the late Leonard Foley and Norman Perry, the booklet included devotions, legends and perspective on how Anthony—the saint of the people, finder of lost articles, helper in troubles, healer of bodies and spirit, patron of lovers and marriage—plays a role in our lives today.
Award-winning Franciscan writer Jack Wintz has now updated the original booklet and added five new chapters that discuss Anthony's spiritual brotherhood with Saint Francis, Anthony's life as a contemplative, a guide to appreciating the popular legends of Saint Anthony and information about the places where Anthony lived and ministered. The book also includes a novena and information on the National Shrine of Saint Anthony as well as an in-depth listing of Anthony shrines around the world.
First published as Saint Anthony of Padua, The Story of His Life and Popular Devotions , edited by the late Leonard Foley and Norman Perry, the booklet included devotions, legends and perspective on how Anthony—the saint of the people, finder of lost articles, helper in troubles, healer of bodies and spirit, patron of lovers and marriage—plays a role in our lives today.
Award-winning Franciscan writer Jack Wintz has now updated the original booklet and added five new chapters that discuss Anthony's spiritual brotherhood with Saint Francis, Anthony's life as a contemplative, a guide to appreciating the popular legends of Saint Anthony and information about the places where Anthony lived and ministered. The book also includes a novena and information on the National Shrine of Saint Anthony as well as an in-depth listing of Anthony shrines around the world.
82 pages, Paperback
First published December 20, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 13, 2020
TONY, DEAR TONY -
PLEASE TURN AROUND!
SOMETHING IS LOST
THAT CANNOT BE FOUND...
The Sex Pistols
That tongue-in-cheek music sums up an old Catholic habit.
Guess what? That modern 'Ode to Saint Anthony' (with all its bio references) was sung to UK Granada TV host Anthony H. Wilson! THIS book was not.
This collection of myths, legends and facts (?) was inspired by the Real Saint. And it’s GREAT.
I bought it one January when the Winter Snow Shine (ie reflected snow and ice glare from our front yard) made it once again possible for me to read printed books.
It is delightful.
We don’t know much about St Anthony, but I knew even less. Like so many Catholics, I can feel the power of his presence on occasions when I need his heavenly assistance. So I bought this book.
Such, anyway, is the power of Faith. And mine has been tried in the fire of more than 70 years of monolithic troubles and travails.
Trials can give you a hard, callous exterior. But my own trials always seemed to originate with folks I loved and respected. Thus they extenuated my desire for understanding.
As I understood people better, over a long life, my agression started to diminish. I was one of the lucky ones for whom the bottom eventually fell out of my rage.
This in turn positively impacted my emotions and my patience. I was left with Peace.
God took the power
But gave the will...
I agree with W.H. Auden - that was the way it was for me.
Understanding the way of saintly legends like Anthony is easier when you are open to their presence and influence. I’m very lucky for the curveballs life has thrown my way, because I appreciate Anthony’s saintliness more.
It taught me gentleness, too.
So this, then, is a book for those of us who have learned from life’s hard knocks.
And that winter, it gave me real hope, and the increasing ability to savour my life to its fullest.
PLEASE TURN AROUND!
SOMETHING IS LOST
THAT CANNOT BE FOUND...
The Sex Pistols
That tongue-in-cheek music sums up an old Catholic habit.
Guess what? That modern 'Ode to Saint Anthony' (with all its bio references) was sung to UK Granada TV host Anthony H. Wilson! THIS book was not.
This collection of myths, legends and facts (?) was inspired by the Real Saint. And it’s GREAT.
I bought it one January when the Winter Snow Shine (ie reflected snow and ice glare from our front yard) made it once again possible for me to read printed books.
It is delightful.
We don’t know much about St Anthony, but I knew even less. Like so many Catholics, I can feel the power of his presence on occasions when I need his heavenly assistance. So I bought this book.
Such, anyway, is the power of Faith. And mine has been tried in the fire of more than 70 years of monolithic troubles and travails.
Trials can give you a hard, callous exterior. But my own trials always seemed to originate with folks I loved and respected. Thus they extenuated my desire for understanding.
As I understood people better, over a long life, my agression started to diminish. I was one of the lucky ones for whom the bottom eventually fell out of my rage.
This in turn positively impacted my emotions and my patience. I was left with Peace.
God took the power
But gave the will...
I agree with W.H. Auden - that was the way it was for me.
Understanding the way of saintly legends like Anthony is easier when you are open to their presence and influence. I’m very lucky for the curveballs life has thrown my way, because I appreciate Anthony’s saintliness more.
It taught me gentleness, too.
So this, then, is a book for those of us who have learned from life’s hard knocks.
And that winter, it gave me real hope, and the increasing ability to savour my life to its fullest.
April 27, 2019
A nice small introductory book with useful articles and essays
June 19, 2020
An excelleent overview of St. Anthony's life and travelogue as well as a history of the various titiles that are ascribed to St. Anthony.
February 10, 2026
This brief book is a collection of essays written by a few Franciscans and a lay author. The nature of the book is two enlighten us beyond St. Anthony as the saint of lost things. The chapters or essays are somewhat repetitive but each seeks to highlight a different aspect of St Anthony. Many of the essays draw parallels between St. Anthony and St. Francis.
The book contains a Foreword, an Introduction, and five parts each with several chapters. The parts are: A Portrait of St. Anthony; The legends of St. Anthony; St. Anthony, the Contemplative, Praying to St. Anthony; and Shrines of St. Anthony.
Highly recommended to Franciscans and Catholics generally, as well as those interested in spirituality, the contemplative life, and looking beyond lost things.
The book contains a Foreword, an Introduction, and five parts each with several chapters. The parts are: A Portrait of St. Anthony; The legends of St. Anthony; St. Anthony, the Contemplative, Praying to St. Anthony; and Shrines of St. Anthony.
Highly recommended to Franciscans and Catholics generally, as well as those interested in spirituality, the contemplative life, and looking beyond lost things.
July 1, 2023
The authors featured in this short book about Il Santo, Anthony of Padua, do a fine job succinctly describing one of the great Catholic saints and capturing the essence and popularity of his highly consequential religious life. The book also offers a selection of prayers to St. Anthony and a list of important churches and shrines in the U.S. devoted to the popular saint. Catholics and non-Catholics with an interest in religion and history will enjoy this book — and likely find some level of inspiration, as well.
August 22, 2014
It is a good introductory book. If you are familiar with Saint Anthony you should look elsewhere.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews