St. Anthony Shrine
<http://www.stanthonyshrine.org/jun09specialnovena.asp>http://www.stanthonyshrine.org/jun09specialnovena.asp
Dear Friend of St. Anthony,
Nearly everywhere all over the world, people pray
to St. Anthony for the return of things lost or
stolen. Some even pray, “Tony, Tony, turn around.
Something’s lost and must be found.”
Legend has it that, when he was a novice, St.
Anthony had a book of psalms that was very
important to him, not only because books in those
days were very rare, but also because it
contained many notes and comments he used in teaching his Franciscan brothers.
As the story goes, one of the other novices, who
had decided to leave the Order, stole St.
Anthony’s book of psalms on his way out. After
finding it missing, St. Anthony fervently prayed
for its return. After a time, the novice not only
returned the book, he also pleaded for
reinstatement into the Order. The stolen book is
said to be preserved even today in the Franciscan friary in Bologna.
Beyond the thousands of stories of lost wallets,
wedding rings, paper work, and even dogs and
cats, many others pray to St. Anthony for the
loss of other less evident “things.” Here is a
story from one of those people, who is a frequent visitor to the Shrine...
Mary C. had been anguishing on the brink of
despair recently because she had lost her
husband, her mother, and brotherall in the same
year. “I believed,” she told me, “that if St.
Anthony helps people find something as
insignificant (at least to me right now) like
money, that surely he would help me find peace
with the deaths that seemed to permeate my life
and my soul this past year. And I believed he
would help me find the courage I needed to go on.”
“So I began praying to him every day to intercede
for me,” said Mary. “I particularly love the
statue in the Shrine of St. Anthony holding the
Christ Child and a lily. Before I knew it, my
prayers were answered. Suddenly one day as I was
leaving the Shrine, when I least expected it, the
comforting thought came to me that I didn’t
really lose my loved ones. They are all still
right here with me right now. I suddenly realized
that, as the scriptures tell us, life has
changed, not ended. As I looked up again, I saw
my dear friend, Joan, opening the door of the
Shrine. I had been avoiding her phone calls for
months. ‘Now,’ I said to her, ‘let’s go have that
cup of coffee; I’m feeling much better.’ Every
time I’ve seen a lily since that day, I think of
dear St. Anthony and how he interceded for me in
my time of need. Thank you, St. Anthony, for
helping me to find my loved ones again, and thank
you for helping me to find the courage I desperately needed to go on.“
Throughout our lives we are forced to face many
crises involving loss.... loss of faith, hope,
love... loss of health, strength, peace of
mind.... loss of friendship, happiness, trust...
and many more. Just as Mary C. learned, it is
possible for St. Anthony to intercede for us in these situations too.
St. Anthony can help us find what we are looking
for if we ask him to help us talk to God about our problems.
Through the intercession of St. Anthony, the Saint of Miracles...
When I’m depressed, in despair, and feel like life can’t get any worse,
Help me find hope.
When I feel alone and forsaken by everyone I know,
Help me find love.
When I can’t see God anywhere in my life or the world,
Help me find faith.
When I’m afraid of what the future holds,
Help me find trust.
When I am weak,
Help me find courage.
When I am sick,
Help me find the balm of healing.
When I am overcome by grief,
Help me find comfort.
When I am angry,
Help me to find a way to let go.
When I’m in trouble and I don’t know what to do,
Help me find God.
This we ask of you, through our Lord, Jesus Christ, who reigns forever
and ever. Amen
Please join the Franciscan Friars in their Feast
Day Novena to St. Anthony. Using the link below,
please list your intentions and send them to us.
We’ll place them in the Chapel of St. Anthony and
remember them in our prayers during the Novena
beginning on June 13th and throughout the entire
month of June. Any donation you are able to give
to support our work among the poor and destitute is greatly appreciated.
Through the intercession of St. Anthony, may you,
too, find the grace of restoration and that which has been lost.
Sincerely yours in St. Anthony,
Fr. David Convertino, OFM
Guardian and Executive Director
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is now on Kindle
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<http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0029XFVT6>
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