St Anthony was born in Portugal to the son of the governor of Lisbon, Martin de Boullion and Theresa de Boullion in August 15th 1195. Theresa dedicated her son at Baptism to the Blessed Virgin and named him Fernando.
One day while praying in the Cathedral he felt a great temptation, he ran to the steps of the Cathedral made the Sign of the Cross at the step and prayed
"Behold the Sign of the Cross
Flee all ye adversaries
The Lion of the tribe of Judah
The Root of Davis has conquered."
and peace returned...
At 15 he entered the Augustinian House of Studies; he wanted to become priest and renounce his fathers estate. For the next ten years he continued studying Canon Regular, the Holy Scripture and writings of the Church.
He became a Franciscan, inspired by martyrdom, so in 1220 he became a Franciscan and received the habit, and took on the name 'Anthony'
He went to Morocco in desire of martyrdom, though he fell sick and had to return, he later met St Francis of Assisi.
After meeting St Francis he went to north Italy and cooked and washed for other friars he, once everyone else rejected, was asked to preach to preach. All were amazed by his lecture for having no time to prepare, and still speaking his "God inspiring" words.
He was then aloud to begin his preaching mission, he won many converts, , preached to the fishes who lined up in accordance to shape and size just to hear him speak when everyone rejected him, converted towns, taught theology, and asked God to intercede for him when he tested other faiths such as the incident where, a starving donkey was to choose between wheat of a pagan, or the Eucharist.
He later went to Southern France, and preached to crowds of 30 000 from the tallest walnut tree.
He was so great when settling arguments between enemies he was asked to write the new laws.
Anthony became known as the wonder worker; he healed a severed limb, raised a child to life, fed the poor, and cured the sick.
He later was given the privilege of meeting the Infant Jesus and even embraced him.
In 1231 Anthony died aged 36 with his last words being "i see the Lord."
Not even a month after his death his Sainthood journey began and was achieved less than a year after. This process normally takes many years.
Pope Gregory IX assigned June 13th his Feast day, when moving his remains St Bonaventure cried out "O blessed tongue, who praised and led other to praise the Lord, we clearly see you true merits before God." his tongue remained incorrupt while the rest of his body rotted and on display at the St Anthony's Basilica in Rome.
Saint Anthony is the patron of: Lost articles, Shipwrecks, amputees, pregnant and barren woman, Italy, animals, mail, Portugal, starvation, travellers, elderly, fishermen, Brazil, Faith in the Blessed Sacrament etc..
St Anthony is one of 33 Doctors of the Church in 1946 and a great inspiring preacher and pillar.
His feast day is on June 13th, and many prayers have been written in his intercession.
Catholic Resources
St Anthony was born in Portugal to the son of the governor of Lisbon, Martin de Boullion and Theresa de Boullion in August 15th 1195. Theresa dedicated her son at Baptism to the Blessed Virgin and named him Fernando. 
