Many times, when a person loses something, they recite a simple prayer, “Dear St. Anthony, please come around! Something is lost, and can’t be found!” Many people believe that St. Anthony hears the prayer, and intercedes to help locate the lost item. What few people know, however, is that St. Anthony was lost, too.

St. Anthony was born in Portugal in 1185 and was named Ferdinand. At age 15, he joined the order of St. Augustine, but left that group to join the Franciscans. While he was in the monastery, the bones of five Franciscan martyrs were brought to the monastery. Ferdinand was so moved by their great sacrifices for their faith that he chose to give his life to preaching God’s word.

Eager to begin a new life, Ferdinand changed his name to Anthony and chose to minister in Morocco, the place the martyrs had died. While in Morocco, Anthony became ill. He boarded a ship to return to Portugal, but during the journey a storm rose and blew the ship off course. Anthony survived but ended up in Italy.

He lived a quiet life in Padua and forgot about his zeal to preach the Good News, until one day he attended an ordination. As the event began, everyone soon realized no one was prepared to preach. Someone told Anthony to stand up and speak and that the Holy Spirit would guide him. Anthony did as he was told, and the crowd was astounded by the power and beauty of his words.

Soon, everyone wanted to hear Anthony preach. The crowds became so large, Mass was often held outdoors because no church was large enough. His sermons were so inspirational that many people were converted. The large number of conversions led to him being called “the Wonder Worker.”

St. Anthony is also called the “Finder of Lost Things.” Legend says Anthony’s favorite prayer book was stolen by a monk who was running away. Anthony prayed the book would be found. Meanwhile, an apparition appeared to the runaway, telling him to immediately return the book, and he did!