Have You Lost Something?

Last Thursday, June 13, was the feast of Saint Anthony of Padua in the Catholic Church.  I took the photograph accompanying this post in the inner courtyard of the Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua, Italy, while on my pilgrimage to Italy in 2016.  Most devoted Catholics probably know the story.  Saint Anthony is the patron saint of lost things.  If you have lost something of value (think your keys, your wallet, your purse, a credit card, etc.), it is said that if you ask Saint Anthony for his intercession, you may find this lost item.  Some people will tell you that it is uncanny how such a prayer has often worked for them. 

I have an idea.  Have you lost your faith?  Or has your son, daughter, grandchild, cousin, brother or sister lost their faith?  I mean, do you know someone who was devoted to their Catholicism growing up and now they no longer believe in heaven or hell, or no longer believe that the Eucharist is the Real Presence of the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ?  Or maybe they have come to doubt in the value of the sacraments, such as confessing sins to a priest.  Or perhaps worse than all of these, do you know someone who has now come to doubt the existence of God and had become an atheist?  Do you see what I’m getting at?  Yes, Saint Anthony, the patron saint of lost things! 

Put it in the hands of Saint Anthony.  After all, something is lost, and he is the expert at finding things again.  Try it!  It may work!  And wouldn’t you be excited?  What a way to potentially give your own faith a shot in the arm!  You would have your own prodigal son success story to tell everyone about!  Saint Anthony, pray for us and for all the lost souls.  Amen!