The excellent Catholic expression of devotion to St. Anthony of Padua goes back to the 13th Century. It has been a source of many favors and graces, as well as providing great aid to the poor and the needy.
Ancient chronicles trace this devotion back to the story of a little girl in Padua. While the great basilica was under construction, she fell into a barrel of water, and was drowned. In her grief the mother called on St. Anthony for help, promising to donate the child's weight in grain for the poor if she were restored to life.
While the mother was still praying, the child arose as if simply awaking. This miracle gave rise to the devotion of giving alms to the poor as a petition or in return for favors received through St. Anthony's intercession.
The practice received its present name of St. Anthony's Bread from a favor received by a pious girl named Louise Bouffier at Toulon in France in the 18th century. She promised to provide loaves of bread to the poor in exchange for St. Anthony's help. Her shop eventually became a center of Catholic devotion to St. Anthony; the alms of those whose favors were granted were given to the numerous poor families of the city.
The Franciscan Order encourages this act of charity to the poor and afflicted. It is a commendable method of sacrifice and of thanksgiving to St. Anthony.
If you wish to take part in this traditional Catholic method of prayer to St. Anthony, you may send your offering and petition marked plainly, to St. Anthony's Bread.
Any offering, however small, that you care to send to the Franciscan Mission Associates today in honor of St. Anthony will be used for the poorest of the poor.
