Feast of St Anthony

St Anthony of Padua is perhaps one of the most famous saints in the world whose feast day is celebrated on 13 June. He was born in Portugal and traveled to Italy as a Franciscan preacher. He inspired many by his fidelity to the Gospel and loving concern for the poor. St Anthony witnessed to Christ by a life marked by humility, poverty, patience and obedience. He died in 1231 at the tender age of 36. St Anthony is invoked to find lost property.

One of the highlights of the feast-day and procession in the parish is the blessing and distribution of St Anthony’s bread. Hundreds of bread rolls fill the sanctuary and are eaten or kept as a momento of the day.