Saint Anthony of Padua —
Patron Saint of the Poor & Oppressed,
Those Seeking Lost Objects, Expectant Mothers, The Elderly

"St. Anthony was born in Portugal, although most of his work was in Italy. He originally joined the Augustinian order, but he became a Franciscan when he was 26.

St. Anthony also wished to be a martyr. He is called the "Hammer of Heretics" because of his simple, and sometimes, miraculous manner of teaching the Catholic faith. The secret to his success was simply to repeat the "Holy Name of Mary" when speaking to heretics. St. Anthony often attracted huge crowds, and was sensationally successful. One day when he found he was preaching to heretics who would not Listen, he went to preach to the fish, who Listened attentively, not for their necessity, but for the glory of God.

St. Anthony is said to have been miraculously visited by the Infant Jesus, and is commonly referred to today as the "finder of lost articles." He was only 36 when he died.