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Per Antonium ad Jesum
 Through
Anthony to Jesus. These are the memorable words used
by Pope Pius XI in 1930, on the occasion of the seven-hundredth
anniversary of Saint Anthony's death.
And this is truly the mission of Saint Anthony, the extraordinary
saint who, to this day in the mysterious plan of divine providence,
remains a great master of spiritual life, a living example
of virtue and holiness, a powerful intercessor before God.
We know very well, as the Bible and the Church teach us,
that the only mediator between God and man is Jesus Christ.
But we also know, for our great consolation, that the saints,
our brothers and sisters, have tried to perfectly imitate
Jesus during their earthly lives, and, living a life of faith
and heroic charity, they devoted their lives to God and their
brothers and sisters. Now near Christ in heaven, they are
models to imitate and are our intercessors.
For this reason, the Second Vatican Council teaches that
"The Church proclaims the paschal mystery as
realized in its saints who have suffered and have been glorified
with Christ. The Church offers them as examples to
the faithful that they may attract all to the Father through
Christ and, through their merits, implore benefits from God"
(Sacrosantum Concilium, n. 104).
That which is true for all the saints is particularly true
for Saint Anthony, whom the people of Padua refer to simply
as "the Saint". He was permeated
with a fervent love for Our Lord; he immersed himself in the
spirit of the Gospel; he lived it personally, preaching wherever
he went through his Sermones; he explained this love in his
writings, and thus deserves to be proclaimed "Doctor"
of the Church.
Still today Saint Anthony continues to be that which he was
during his earthly existence: a light and a guide
for Christians. To this day he continues to emanate
the message of salvation: the message of obtaining, maintaining
and increasing divine grace.
Those who have visited the Basilica in Padua, where Saint
Anthony's tomb is located, can testify to the fact that, for
many, Saint Anthony is truly an invitation to return
to the Lord, to convert, and to begin a new life.
Throughout the year, many pilgrims come to pray at the tomb
of Saint Anthony. They entrust him with their suffering,
their worries, their hopes, and when they leave, they take
with them solace and consolation.
Prayer to Saint Anthony is simple and direct, at times in
need of enlightenment and purification.
Yet, it is without a doubt a path to draw closer to God that
is within everyone's grasp. Very often, in fact, it is the
simple and humble of heart, and not the erudite or famous,
who are able to find the path which leads to the Lord.
These pages are intended for and dedicated to all those who
wish to communicate their thoughts in a simple and direct
way to Saint Anthony and, through him, to the Father.
If you like, you may do so immediately.
Your friend Saint Anthony will listen to what is in your heart.
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