June 13 is the feast day of St. Anthony of Padua, a medieval Franciscan and famous patron saint of lost items. He has helped find enough car keys to earn himself a spot in the "Guinness World Records"!
But there's much more to this popular saint, as these five facts show.
1. He was canonized by someone who knew him personally.
Pope Gregory IX met St. Anthony several times and held him in high regard, so much so that he called him the “Ark of the Testament” for his deep knowledge of Scripture and gift for preaching.
While many saints aren’t canonized until decades, or even centuries, after their death, St. Anthony was declared a saint by Pope Gregory IX just one year later.
2. He met St. Francis of Assisi.
St. Anthony joined the Franciscans in 1220, just 11 years after St. Francis founded the order. He heard St. Francis preach and later received personal permission from him to teach theology to his fellow friars.
3. He earned the nickname “Hammer of Heretics.”
St. Anthony was a powerful preacher and miracle worker. He spoke out against the Albigensian heresy, which was rapidly spreading throughout Europe. His efforts led many people to convert or return to the Catholic faith.
4. He is a Doctor of the Church.
The title “Doctor of the Church” is given to men and women recognized for their holiness and the enduring value of their teachings. As of 2025, there are 37 official Doctors of the Church. St. Anthony shares this illustrious title with such beloved saints as St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Francis de Sales and St. Thérèse of Lisieux.
5. He intercedes for single Catholics looking for a spouse.
This may be surprising, considering St. Anthony was a celibate friar. Yet he helped many women in his time find husbands.
One story tells of a young woman whose family couldn’t afford a dowry. She prayed to St. Anthony, who left her a note with instructions to take it to a merchant and place it on a scale. Miraculously, the note weighed exactly the same as 400 silver coins, the amount the merchant once promised to give the saint.
With the silver, the woman was able to afford her dowry and marry the man she loved.
This summer, deepen your devotion to St. Anthony beyond asking for lost items. He’s ready to intercede for your needs in every area of life.
St. Anthony, pray for us!
