Sant'Antonio

One common thread among practitioners of Italian folk magic/healing is the widespread practice of requesting the intercession of their patron saints. Seasoned practitioners view this as a working relationship with their 'patrone'.

Saint Anthony of Padua is an example of a saint I inherited from my ancestors. My father was named after him and I've always had a working relationship with Sant'Antonio for matters involving my family's health and well-being.

Here follows some vital statistics on Saint Anthony. Maybe this will help you learn more so you will decide to adopt him as your patron.

Saint Anthony of Padua is the saint traditionally invoked for help in finding lost objects and in prosperity rituals... and parking spaces!

Doctor of the Church, 1195 to 1231.
Feast Day June 13
Patron of Poor, also against shipwrecks, starvation, animals, boatmen, elderly people, fishermen, harvests, lost articles, mail, Portugal, travelers, travel hostesses, and watermen
Symbol book, bread, Infant Jesus, lily, Young Families

On an altar, place an image of St. Anthony, some fresh flowers (lilies when possible), light a nine day candle and recite this once daily, preferably at the same time for nine days to obtain your wish.

Unfailing Prayer to St. Anthony
"Blessed be God in His Angels and in His Saints"
O Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and Charity for His creatures, made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me (request). O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms; and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.


Saint Anthony of Padua is my family's patron saint.

When my grandmother was pregnant with my father she prayed to Saint Anthony:

"Sant'Antonio, per piacere, perche no mi dai questo bello bambinello?"

"Saint Anthony, please grant me that beautiful baby you hold in your arms."

When my father was born, legend has it that people came from all the surrounding villages because he looked just like the Infant Jesus of Saint Anthony.

When I had my first child she was quite jaundiced and the lab report was enough for our family doctor to refer us to a paediatrician. Our daughter was 7 days old. Before leaving for the hospital, I prayed to Saint Anthony to help me see clearly and make the right decisions for our baby.

That night, the hospital wanted to place our baby under phototherapy to bring her bilirubin count down. That would mean that she would be left to cry all night, naked, under bright lights, while we watched -helpless. My husband and I were both feeling very vulnerable and a little fearful.

I quieted my mind while I nursed my daughter and asked for guidance. I felt the familiar warmth and comfort of Sant'Antonio and he told me not to be afraid she will be fine. I then heard the following statement as clear as day in my mind:

"Take your family home."

I instantly looked up at my husband and said. "We're going home."

I signed her out and at home she nursed all night long. By morning her jaundice was less pronounced. We went to see our family doctor the day after that and our daughter's blood tests came back perfectly normal.

My family doctor told us how the paediatrician at the hospital was furious with us. He said we were irresponsible. Our family doctor backed us up by saying:

"She's a nurse. I am certain she knew what she was doing. By the way, her baby is fine."

Sia Benedetto Dio.