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St. Anthony of Padua, that Hammer of Heretics, serves as a model to me that I am to preach against any dualism within myself that blocks an openness to beauty.
As Julian of Spires wrote: “The sea obeys and fetters break/And lifeless limbs thou dost restore/While treasures lost are found again/When young or old thine aid implore.”
Do you ever catch yourself criticizing, cursing, or insulting yourself when you make a mistake, or something doesn’t go your way?
Life can often feel like, in St. Anthony’s words, “choppy water,” and we can indeed lose our sense of bearing when things get chaotic or even hostile.
It is our job to keep the work of the Catholic saints going as heirs to the tradition.
Upon meeting obstacles, Katharine Drexel remarked that if they weren’t in her plans, they must’ve been in God’s. The next time you encounter a problem adopt her spirit.
One of my favorite stories of St. Anthony is the one about how, during the final years of his life, the friars built Anthony a treehouse in a large walnut tree not far from the friary.
One day, when Anthony came down from the tree to join the other friars for lunch, he became seriously ill.
Jesus challenged the man with paralysis with the words, “Pick up your mat and walk” (Jn 5:1–8). To have abundant life, he needed to act.
St. Anthony can, through meditation and prayer, help us find a sense of calm long enough to hear God’s voice.
