Franciscan Spirituality

Anthony is linked to finding lost objects. More importantly, many people have found anew a faith that previously seemed lifeless and useless.

Anthony’s knowledge of the Scriptures and his ability to apply them to daily life led to an assignment from Francis himself: Anthony should go to Bologna and teach Scripture to the young friars.

Anthony was a missionary in Morocco for less than a year. Little is known about those months except that Anthony became so ill that his superiors decided to send him back home.

Anthony had an extraordinary knowledge of Scripture, thanks to the natural gifts that were expanded by his excellent education as an Augustinian canon.

In almost 11 years as a Friar Minor, Anthony had six very different ministries in three countries. Today we might ask, “Why couldn’t he keep a job?”

The call to enter into the world of “the other” contains a costly component. Moving from accepted bias, taboos, and prejudices is not an easy step.