St Anthony Devotion Booklet

Table of Contents Prologue ............................................................... 3 Epilogue ............................................................. 10 DEVOTION TO ST ANTHONY Opening Prayer ................................................ 12 St Anthony’s Prayer ........................................ 15 Si Quareris ......................................................... 16 General Intercessions .................................... 19 Thanksgiving Prayer ...................................... 26 Blessing of Bread ............................................. 27 Concluding Prayer .......................................... 27 Final Blessing .................................................... 30

HYMNS To Christ our King ..........................................

Sing Joyful Praise to the King ....................

Hymn to St Anthony .....................................

In Perfect Charity ...........................................

Canticle of the Sun ........................................

Prayer of St Francis .........................................

Sacred Creation ..............................................

My God My All .................................................

Companions on a Journey ..........................

31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

PRAYERS TO ST ANTHONY Prayer of Confidence ..................................... 41 Prayer for Healing ........................................... 42 Prayer for Emotional Healing ..................... 43 Prayer for the Health of an Expecting Mother and Unborn Child ........................... 44 Prayer for a Happy Death ............................. 45 FRANCISCAN’S CROWN ............................... 46

Prologue‌ Life of St Anthony For centuries, millions of people across the world have been devoted to St Anthony with a love and veneration which is never diminished or obscured. Why is this affection, this love, so strong, wide-spread and spontaneous? What is the secret of this affectionate and faithful trust in St Anthony?

The faithful recognize St Anthony for what he has always done for them. Above all, he is a confidential listener. He is the intercessor of the poor, and enters into a dialogue with whoever needs to share physical or spiritual suffering.

Many do not know much about his life or his teaching, but they have experienced him as a protector and a benefactor in their lives.

3

N A E C O C I T N A L T A

LISBON

Beginnings…

M e d i t e r a n e a n

s e a

Interestingly, this great saint was born with neither the name Anthony, nor in the city of Padua. Instead, St Anthony was born into a noble family in Lisbon, Portugal on the Feast of the Assumption, 15th August 1195. At his baptism, he was named Fernando.

With the Augustinians…

As a young boy, he studied to be a priest under the guidance of the canons of the city’s cathedral. At 15, Fernando joined the 4

Augustinians at Lisbon, and later, moved to Coimbra where he dedicated himself tirelessly to the study of humanities and theology.

Becoming a Franciscan‌ In 1219, a group of 5 Franciscan friars were sent out by St Francis of Assisi to undertake a mission in Morocco. Preaching without fear, they were martyred a year later.

The remains of these martyrs, while making their way back, were laid to rest in the Augustinian Church in Coimbra. Soon, this inspired Fernando to be a missionary and a martyr himself. Thus, he left the Canons Regular of St Augustine and in September 1220, he was received into the Order of Friars Minor.

5

From missionary to hermit…

As a friar, he was given the name Anthony.

Shortly afterwards, Anthony was sent to Morocco but he never got there due to a sudden illness. On his way back, his ship met with a storm which landed him in Sicily. Indeed, God had other plans for the saint! From Sicily, hearing about the Friars’ Chapter in Assisi, Anthony made his way there and met Francis personally. Next he settled in Romagna, where he spent his time in prayer and acts of penance. Within the community, Anthony served the brothers in humble and menial tasks with joy.

Anthony the Preacher…

At an ordination mass in Forli in 1222, Anthony’s life took an unexpected change, 6

when his superior asked him to deliver an impromptu sermon in front of learned friars and clergy. Anthony’s preaching was more than eloquent for a kitchen brother. After that, the formerly unnoticed brother was thrust into the centre of attention. Seeing Anthony’s abilities, his superiors asked him to preach in the towns and villages of Romagna. There, he began his life as a preacher -- speaking to the people, sharing in their lowly and troubled lives, while at the same time teaching theology to the friars, hearing confessions and confronting heretics.

The Mule and the Eucharist‌ According to tradition, St Anthony converted a heretic through a contest involving a mule. The heretic, Bonillo, was unmoved by the reasoning of the saint on the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. Seeing this, Anthony challenged him to give up his errors if the mule were to bow down and adore its Creator present in the 7

Blessed Sacrament.

Bonillo agreed, but insisted that the mule was not to be fed for two days, and then be led to choose between a tempting pile of fresh feed and the consecrated host. On the day of the contest, the mule was turned loose and it quickly advanced towards Anthony and knelt in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

With much emotion and contrition, Bonillo too fell on his knees and gave up his heresy.

Preaching to the fish‌ In another account, St Anthony was said to have preached to the fish at Rimini. Confronted by a group of unrepentant heretics, Anthony went to the edge of a river and began preaching to the fish, elaborating on their gifts given by God. The fish started to gather around him, lifting their heads above the water and looking at him attentively with their mouths open.

8

Anthony the Theologian & the Hammer of the Heretics…

Towards the end of 1223, Anthony began teaching theology in Bologna. Among his peers, Anthony was a master of Christian knowledge and an unequalled biblical scholar, so much so that Pope Gregory IX called him “the Ark of the Testament”. The Church today recognizes him as a Doctor of the Church. Grounded in Scripture, Anthony’s work against the heretics also led him to be called the “Hammer of the Heretics”.

His knowledge of the Word of God was lived in concrete reality. His witness to the Gospel life was so clear that the local authorities even changed a municipal law involving debtors on his account. There is no doubt that the saint felt very much for the poor of his day.

His last days…

Exhausted by his active life and ministry, Anthony retreated to the hermitage in Camposampiero in 1231. In late spring, Anthony was taken ill.

Knowing this to be his final illness, he asked to be taken to Padua where he passed away.

9

His final words were, “I see my Lord.” It was 13 June 1231, and Anthony was 36 years old.

After that, the fame of many miracles brought about through his intercession convinced Pope Gregory IX to shorten the period for his canonization. Anthony was proclaimed a Saint on 30 May 1232, only 11 months after his death.

Epilogue…

Despite his illustrious life and great achievements, St Anthony is a companion in our daily lives. He is an elder brother, a best friend, always ready and willing to help others, whatever their problems, big or small. We love and recognize him with the lily (symbolizing the purity and transparency of life), with the baby Jesus (a sign of tender and freely-given love), and the book (the Word of God).

St Anthony is indeed the face of the caring goodness of God, who reveals Himself in tangible reality. Let us then heed the call of St Anthony towards a true conversion of heart to Jesus Christ, our Saviour and our Hope.

10

DEVOTION TO ST ANTHONY (STAND) Presider: In the name of the Father, and of

the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

All

: Amen.

11

Opening Prayer Presider:

Set 1: Heavenly Father, we bless and thank you for the gift of St Anthony who has been a faithful follower of our Lord Jesus Christ. During his earthly life, your Son was so pleased with his life of holiness and love that he deigned to appear to him as the Child Jesus. We pray through St Anthony’s intercession that we too, in our earthly pilgrimage, may come to love Jesus and serve Him better; that one day we may arrive at eternal happiness where with our Beloved Saint, we may give you ceaseless praise and glory. We make this prayer through Christ, our Lord.

Set 2: Heavenly Father, with humble hearts, we come into your presence, praising you and giving thanks for the bountiful blessings we have received through the intercession of St Anthony. Through our Patron Saint, who loves and holds the 12

Scriptures dear to his heart, may we too open our hearts to listen to the Word of God. By reading, praying and meditating upon its message, may we emulate our dear Saint and so be able to sit at the feet of Jesus your Son, who is your Word. We make this prayer in Jesus’ name.

Set 3: Heavenly Father, the Cross has become synonymous with Christians around the world. It reminds us of our Christian identity in your Son. As we gather in your presence, we are reminded of your Son’s great love for us when he died and rose for us. St Anthony, whom you have graced the Church with, believed in the power and efficacy of the Cross. May we live out the new life won by Jesus and become a people of the Resurrection to the glory of your name.

We make this prayer in Jesus’ name.

Set 4: Heavenly Father, all through his life, St Anthony constantly preached the necessity of humility in attaining salvation, calling to mind the humility of Christ 13

in His Incarnation, his patient endurance in facing difficulties, and most of all, his Passion and Death on the cross. May we heed the call of our dear Saint to be humble by admitting that we are totally dependent on God and by attributing all good to you alone. We make this prayer in your Son’s most precious name.

Presider: Let us pray to God our Creator,

the source and author of all

holiness, who has given salvation

in Christ.

All

: Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.

Presider: Guide our world leaders to seek

the way of peace and assist our

brothers and sisters who are

oppressed.

All

: Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.

Presider: Look with kindness on those who

have not had the Gospel shown to 14

All

them or who have lost their way. : Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.

Presider: Help those who are poor, who have

no food or homes, who seek work.

All

: Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.

Presider: Heal the sick and depressed. Let

the lonely know the comfort of your

love. Assist all in need of your mercy.

All

: Lord, hear our prayer as we honour you in St Anthony.

St Anthony Prayer Presider: Lord Jesus, All

: Bind us to you and to our neighbour with love.

May our hearts not be turned 15

away from you.

May our souls not be deceived nor our talents or minds enticed by allurements of error, so that we may never distance ourselves from your love.

Thus we may love our neighbour as ourselves with strength, wisdom and gentleness.

With your help, you who are blessed throughout all ages. Amen.

(SIT) Scripture Reading: A passage from Scripture is read, followed by a brief sharing.

Si Quaeris Presider: If you ask for miracles,

death, error all calamities,

the leprosy and demons fly,

and health succeeds infirmities.

16

All

: The sea obeys and fetters break, and lifeless limbs you do restore.

While treasures lost are found again, when young and old aid implore.

Presider: All dangers vanish at your prayer,

and deepest needs are cared for too.

Let those who know your power

proclaim, let all Christians say,

“These are of you.�

All

: The sea obeys and fetters break, and lifeless limbs you do restore.

While treasures lost are found again, when young and old aid implore.

Presider: To the Father, Son, may glory be

and Holy Spirit eternally.

All

: The sea obeys and fetters break, and lifeless limbs you do restore.

While treasures lost are found again, when young and old aid implore.

Presider: Pray for us, St Anthony, All

: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

17

Presider: God, our loving Father, All

: You are glorified in your servant St Anthony, whose glory is the crowning of your gifts to him.

In his life on earth, you give us an example.

In our prayer communion with him, you give us his friendship.

In his prayer for the Church, you give us strength and protection.

We praise and thank you, Lord for these benefits, through Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.

Presider: Holy St Anthony, All

: You are the consolation of so many people.

We come to invoke your help, confident of experiencing your goodness and power.

Pray for us to the Father of mercies, that we may obtain the graces we need for ourselves and for our loved ones.

(KNEEL) 18

General Intercessions Presider: Confident in the intercession of

St Anthony, let us humbly place our

needs before the Lord, who hears

us with tenderness and mercy.

Let our response to each petition be

“Pray for us.”

Set 1: • That our Holy Father may enjoy continued health and strength to lead the Church on earth, St Anthony…

• That God may bless us with an increase in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, St Anthony…

• That government leaders may have the grace to rise above factions and place the common good as their top priority, St Anthony…

• That families burdened by divorce, abuse, or alienation may seek and find the help of the God’s spirit, St Anthony…

• That all those who have anxiety about meeting the basic demands of life may find the consoling grace of the Lord and the 19

generous assistance of his people, St Anthony…

• That those who are ill may find in their weakness a new understanding of the redemptive power of Christ, St Anthony…

• (Pause for personal intentions), St Anthony…

• That those who have died may be led to the light of the resurrection, St Anthony…

Set 2: • That the Church may continue to be the light of the world, bringing truth and salvation to all the nations, St Anthony…

• That the pope, bishops, and all clergy may be effective witnesses of the Gospel, St Anthony…

• That the Lord may increase vocations to the priesthood and religious life, and that those called may be generous, St Anthony…

• That God, who calls us to remove all oppression, will enable our nation to restore equal protection to the lives of children, St. Anthony…

• That our families may be blessed with peace, joy and good health, St. Anthony…

20

• That the poor, disadvantaged, unemployed and the forgotten may experience the power of God’s Spirit and the help of his people, St Anthony…

• That the sick may be comforted in their suffering and be healed according to God’s will, St Anthony…

• (Pause for personal intentions), St Anthony…

• That all who have died may be purified of sin and share eternal joy, St Anthony…

Set 3: • That the Church may ever more effectively proclaim Christ, who leads all to the Father in the Holy Spirit, St Anthony…

• That unity among Christians, and their collaboration for the good of society may increase, St Anthony…

• That our nation’s leaders will be mindful of the needs of the diverse people they are called to govern and serve, St Anthony…

• That mothers who are tempted to abort the child in their womb may be freed from anxiety and strengthened in their special calling to nurture life, St Anthony…

21

• That those who suffer from oppression or violence may draw strength from the suffering of Jesus and have the support of caring people, St Anthony…

• That we may imitate our Lord’s compassionate care for the sick, and show them that their lives are just as precious and valuable as when they are healthy, St Anthony…

• (Pause for personal intentions), St Anthony…

• That all who have died may share the life of the Trinity forever, St Anthony…

Set 4: • That the Church will be a worthy servant of the Gospel and direct the people of God to the heart of Jesus, St Anthony…

• That our bishop and priests be strengthened by the Holy Spirit to be the prophetic voice of God in today’s world, St Anthony…

• That the Lord may sustain the zeal of missionaries all over the world who have forsaken earthly riches for the sake of the kingdom, St Anthony…

• That the leaders of nations may work 22

together to provide for the needs of the poor, and may know that such needs cannot be fulfilled apart from God, St Anthony…

• That the family may become ever more the sanctuary of life, where all are welcomed as a gift rather than a burden, St Anthony…

• That all who are ill, especially those who feel alone, may find in Christ and in his people the path to hope and healing, St Anthony…

• (Pause for personal intentions), St Anthony…

• That those who have died may rest in the peace of the heavenly kingdom, St Anthony…

Advent: • That our lives be beacons of hope to those who look to us for help, St Anthony…

• That our hearts may be filled with gratefulness and deep joy as we eagerly await the birth of the Christ child, St Anthony…

23

Christmas: • That rejoicing with Mary and Joseph, may we welcome Christ into our daily lives as they did, St Anthony…

• That Christ’s humble example of being born a helpless baby reminds us of the powerless amongst us, and how they reflect the loving face of God, St Anthony…

Lent: • That the Lord may grant us the grace to forgive those who have hurt us, St Anthony…

• That God may heal us of spiritual blindness and lead us to a profound experience of conversion this Lent, St Anthony…

Easter: • That we may abandon our sinful ways and embrace the newness of life wrought by the Death and Resurrection of Jesus our Saviour, St Anthony…

• That Christ, the light of the world and salvation of the nations may set us on fire with His Spirit to be heralds of the 24

Good News, St Anthony‌ Presider: True follower of St Francis, All

: You put into our hearts the flame of your love, that we may love our merciful Father in heaven and our neighbour as ourselves.

Pray that we may fulfill the will of God and live the way Jesus shows us in the Gospel.

Be a guide for us this day that we may recognize the opportunities God gives us to be helping and caring.

Assist us in keeping the promises we made at our Baptism.

Help us to obtain the grace to walk in the light of faith and to proclaim that faith by the way we live. Amen.

Presider: St Anthony, light of the Church,

lover of God’s Law and Doctor of

the Gospel, All

: Pray for us to the Son of God.

(STAND) 25

Thanksgiving Prayer Presider: Having offered up our petitions and

needs before the All Loving and

Merciful God, let us, with grateful

hearts, thank him as we pray, All

: We thank you, Father, for giving us St Anthony, who lived the Gospel life so faithfully.

Through his intercession, may the Good News of Christ inspire us to build up your Kingdom and make the world a more fitting place for all to live.

With St Anthony, we praise and bless you forever and ever. Amen.

Presider: Together with Christians of all ages,

let us pray to the Father in the

words that Jesus taught us.

All

: Our Father‌

26

Blessing of Bread Presider: Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, source of life and

all nourishment, as you fed your

people with manna in the desert,

we praise and give you glory for

the gift of bread, fruit of the earth and

work of human hands. Bless this

bread in honour of St Anthony and

teach us to share with the poor,

the forsaken and the hungry.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Concluding Prayer Presider: Set 1: Heavenly Father, with grateful hearts, we offer you thanks for the grace of loving you and serving you better, through our devotion to St Anthony. May you continue to shower upon us abundant graces through St. Anthony’s intercession, that we may live lives of holiness and love, thus 27

revealing to all the “Face of the Child Jesus” as we continue on our earthly pilgrimage. We make this prayer in your Son’s most precious name.

Set 2: Heavenly Father, as we go on our way, we bless and thank you for this sacred time we have shared together, listening to your Word and being strengthened through the intercession of St Anthony. May we in our daily lives, feel the effects of your love through your grace working actively in us.

Let us from time to time pause and be conscious of your presence around and within us and give you thanks and praise for the gifts of life, family and friends because all good things come from you. We make our prayer in your Son’s most precious name.

Set 3: Heavenly Father, the grace of new life comes by way of entrusting our life into your Son’s hands. Our Lord Jesus Christ has shown us how to carry our daily cross with hope as it is a sign of our victory. May St Anthony, who constantly put to 28

flight the enemy of mankind by making the sign of the cross on his forehead, be an example for us when we sign ourselves in the name of the Trinity. By this, we enter into your presence as we go about our day, conscious of your abiding love. We make this prayer in your Son’s most precious name.

Set 4: Heavenly Father, we are humbled by the example your Son gave us through his life of humility. It truly reveals the depth of your love for us. May we, as disciples of Christ and devotees of St Anthony, rely on our dear Saint’s intercession, and heed his call to walk in the steps of love with humility of heart as we relate with our family, friends, and colleagues on a daily basis. And may we, who are truly dependent on you, always return to you all praise, all glory, and all good. We make this prayer in your Son’s most precious name.

All

: Amen.

29

Final Blessing (Num 6:24-26)

Presider: Bow your heads

and ask for God’s blessing.

May the Lord bless you and

keep you!

May the Lord let His face shine

upon you and have mercy on you!

May the Lord look upon you with

kindness and give you his peace!

And may the Lord bless us:

The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

All

: Amen.

30

Selected Hymns To Christ our King 1. To Christ our King we sing this hymn, Our grateful hearts we raise, For Anthony before His throne, Exult in joy and grace.

2. He followed close the Father’s Word, From Him he never turned, His miracles a light to all, To faith the lost recall.

3. O gentle saint, tell him our needs, His children too are we, O ask him now to grant our prayers, And we at peace shall be.

4. This grace we beg of God on high, The Father with the Son, The Holy Spirit of His love, Now and forever more.

31

Sing Joyful Praises to the King 1. Sing joyful praises to the King, A loyal soldier’s recompense.

To Anthony, he grants this grace, His miracles through human world.

Refrain: O Anthony, God’s chosen one, With mortal eyes you saw your Lord.

A solemn pledge of glorious life, A foretaste of your own reward.

2. From Padua first, to east and west, Arose a hymn of praise and fame, Through heaven’s grace, we still affirm Unending honour to your name.

3. May glory to the Father be, And to the Son eternally, The Spirit too, in essence one, In persons three, be honour done.

32

Hymn to St Anthony

Tune: “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” or “Creator of the Stars of Night”

1. If miracles you wish to see, Lo, error, death, calamity, The leprous stain, the demon flies, From beds of pain the sick arise.

2. See perils perish, plenty’s hoard, Is heaped on hunger’s famished board.

Let those relate who know it well, Let Padu-a her patron tell.

3. The hunger sees forego their prey, The prisoner’s cruel chains give way, While palsied limbs and chattels tossed, Both young and old find all things lost.

4. May glory to the Father be, And to the Son eternally, And to the Spirit, Three in One, In Perfect Love, be Honour done.

33

In Perfect Charity

by Randall DeBruyn

O most high and glorious God, Cast your light into the darkness of my heart.

Give me right faith and certain hope, And perfect, perfect charity.

Give me true insight Lord, and wisdom, That I may always live within your ever holy will.

Lord, may your light within me burn, Shining out in perfect charity.

O most high and glorious God, Open wide the door that leads me to your love.

Give me your firm, yet gentle strength; May I live that perfect charity.

Lord may your peace be ever in me, That I may always seek to serve your children here on earth; That I may find my home with you, And live in perfect charity.

Then most high and thankful praise I will sing unto the glory of your name: To Father, Son and Spirit bright, Living Presence, Perfect Charity.

Praise to the Love that shines in splendour, That lights the pathways of my heart and brings me close to you.

O Holy One, invite me in, Where you live in perfect charity.

34

Canticle of the Sun

by Marty Haugen

Refrain:

The heavens are telling the glory of God, And all creation is shouting for joy!

Come, dance in the forest, Come, play in the field, And sing, sing to the glory of the Lord!

1. Praise for the sun, the bringer of day, He carries the light of the Lord in his rays; The moon and the stars who light up the way Unto your throne!

2. Praise for the wind that blows through the trees, The seas’ mighty storms, the gentlest breeze; They blow where they will, They blow where they please, To please the Lord!

3. Praise for the rain that waters our fields, And blesses our crops so all the earth yields; From death unto life her mystery revealed Springs forth in joy!

4. Praise for the fire who gives us his light, The warmth of the sun to brighten our night; He dances with joy, his spirit so bright, He sings of you!

35

5. Praise for the earth who makes life to grow, The creatures you made to let your life show; The flowers and trees that help us to know The heart of love.

6. Praise for our death that makes our life real, The knowledge of loss that helps us to feel; The gift of yourself, your presence revealed To bring us home.

Prayer of St Francis

by Sebastian Temple

1. Make me a channel of your peace, Where there is hatred let me bring your love, Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord, And where there’s doubt, true faith in You. 2. Make me a channel of your peace, Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope Where there is darkness, only light, And where there’s sadness, ever joy.

3. Oh, Master grant that I may never seek, So much to be consoled as to console, To be understood as to understand, To be loved as to love with all my soul.

36

4. Make me a channel of your peace, It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, In giving to all men that we receive, And in dying that we’re born to eternal life.

Sacred Creation

by Rufino Zaragoza

Refrain: Sacred the land, sacred the water, sacred the sky, holy and true.

Sacred all life, sacred each other; all reflect God who is good.

1. All praise be yours through Brother Sun, bearing a likeness of you, Most High One. Sister Moon and Stars who are precious, splendid, ride your glorious sky.

2. Brother Wind and Air that pervades, vary their moods to sustain all you’ve made.

Sister Water, useful and pure, lowly, freely sharing her life.

3. Through Brother Fire you brighten the night, strong and robust yet playful and bright.

37

Sister Earth, our mother who nurtures, feeding, yielding flower and herb.

Final Refrain: Sacred the land, sacred the water, sacred the sky, holy and true.

Sacred all life, sacred each other; all reflect God who is good; all reflect God, all reflect God. My God and My All

by Rufino Zaragoza

1. Jesus, my only desire.

Jesus, my only desire.

Jesus, my love; Jesus, my beauty.

Jesus my God and my all!

2. Jesus, the hope of my soul.

Jesus, the hope of my soul.

Jesus, my strength; Jesus, my refuge.

Jesus my God and my all!

3. Jesus, the mercy of God. Jesus the mercy of God. Jesus, my truth; Jesus, my justice.

Jesus my God and my all!

38

4. Jesus, my life-giving God. Jesus, my life-giving God. Jesus, my joy; Jesus my glory.

Jesus my God and my all!

5. Jesus, the wisdom of God. Jesus, the wisdom of God. Jesus my light; Jesus, my vision.

Jesus my God and my all!

Companions on a Journey

by Carey Landry

Refrain: We are companions on the journey, breaking bread and sharing life; And in the love we bear is the hope we share, For we believe in the love of our God, We believe in the love of our God. 1. No longer strangers to each other; No longer strangers in God’s house; We are fed and we are nourished by the strength of those who care, By the strength of those who care.

39

2. We have been gifted with each other, And we are called by the Word of the Lord: To act with justice, to love tenderly, And to walk humbly with our God, To walk humbly with our God. 3. We will seek and we shall find; We will knock and the door will be opened; We will ask and it shall be given, For we believe in the love of our God, We believe in the love of our God. 4. We are made for the glory of our God, For service in the name of Jesus; To walk side by side with hope in our hearts, For we believe in the love of our God, We believe in the love of our God.

40

Prayers to St Anthony Prayer of Confidence Most holy St Anthony, friend of Jesus, I place myself in your heavenly care. Be with me, especially in life’s troubles and difficulties.

Intercede before the Lord for me, so that I may confidently know I do not face my problems alone.

I join my prayers to yours, O great Saint, as I ask God to give me consolation in times of sorrow, courage when I am afraid, and healing from all the ills that afflict me. Obtain for me from God, Most High, the grace to accept whatever is God’s holy will for me and my loved ones. Strengthen my faith so that I will never despair, but always have hope in God’s healing presence and power in my life. Amen.

41

Prayer for Healing Compassionate St Anthony, you are called the “Miracle Worker” by those who have been blessed by your special friendship.

I ask you to look with favour on (person’s name) who is weak and failing. Great St. Anthony, come to the assistance of (name).

Obtain for her/him health in mind and body, and the strength to accept all suffering in union with Christ, our Saviour. Loving St. Anthony, console all those who are afflicted, and guide them to the heart of the Divine Physician, where they will obtain compassion, mercy and hope. Amen.

42

Prayer for Emotional Healing St Anthony, dear friend and heavenly guide, be present to me now, and let me know your compassion. Pray to our dear Lord for me, that I may experience calmness, tranquillity, and peace in all my emotions.

Help me to grow in faith and hope. Protect me from all that displeases God, and obtain for me serenity of mind and spirit.

I place all my confidence in you, St Anthony, and I pray for mercy, grace, and God’s gentle goodness. Amen.

43

Prayer for the Health of an Expecting Mother and Unborn Child Glorious St Anthony, you were blessed to hold the Infant Jesus in your arms. I come to you now on behalf of (person’s name) who pleads for the health and safety of the child that God has graced her to conceive.

St Anthony, guard this life God has created, and the mother God has chosen for this child. Let your gentle hand, like that of a skilled physician, aid in her delivery so that this baby will know good health and lasting happiness. May her child be favoured with the grace of holy baptism, and grow to love our Lord Jesus Christ above all else in this world. Amen.

44

Prayer for a Happy Death Good St Anthony, in God’s infinite goodness, you have enriched the lives of those who rely on you with many spiritual graces and material favours as well. I turn to you in great confidence to ask you to be my special advocate before the throne of God. Kindly protect me from the snares of spiritual enemies, comfort me in affliction, and provide me with life’s necessities. Especially do I implore your protection in the final trials of my life.

Comforted by your aid, may I persevere in the grace of God until my last breath.

Then, in the company of the blessed, may you be my patron also in perpetual praise and thanksgiving in the glory of Paradise.

Amen.

45

The Franciscan Crown The Franciscan Crown consists of seven decades of Hail Marys and recalls the seven joys of Mary and how she responded to the grace of God in her life.

Begin with the Sign of the Cross: “In the name of the Father…”

For each of the 7 decades, recite 1 Our Father and 10 Hail Marys, followed by 1 Glory Be. The Seven Mysteries are the Seven Joys of Our Lady: 1. The Annunciation of Archangel Gabriel to Mary. (Luke 1:26-38) 2. The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth.

(Luke 1:39-56) 3. The Birth of Jesus Christ. (Luke 2:1-20) 4. The Adoration of the Magi.

(Matthew 2:1-2,9-11) 46

5. The Finding of the Child Jesus in the Temple of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:41-51) 6. The Resurrection of Our Lord on Easter Morning. (Luke 24:36-49) 7. The Assumption and Coronation of Mary in Heaven. (Revelation 12:1) After the last decade, recite 2 additional Hail Marys, bringing the total to 72 which represents – according to tradition – the age reached by Mary upon this earth.

Conclude with 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 1 Glory Be (for the Pope’s intentions), the Hail Holy Queen and the following prayer: O God, who in the glorious resurrection of your Son, you have given joy to the whole world, through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, grant that we may enjoy life without end. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

47

St Anthony, pray for us.