Changes

His quiet life of prayer and penance at the hermitage near Montepaolo was exchanged for that of a public preacher. [[St. Francis of Assisi]] heard of his great knowledge and holiness after a speech he gave in 1222 and was assigned to preach in Northern Italy. He lived and preached in Padua, a major population center of its day. His last and most famous sermon took place in 1231 before crowds estimated to be 30,000 people in attendance. He died in peace a short time after that at the young  age of 36 years old.

His quiet life of prayer and penance at the hermitage near Montepaolo was exchanged for that of a public preacher. [[St. Francis of Assisi]] heard of his great knowledge and holiness after a speech he gave in 1222 and was assigned to preach in Northern Italy. He lived and preached in Padua, a major population center of its day. His last and most famous sermon took place in 1231 before crowds estimated to be 30,000 people in attendance. He died in peace a short time after that at the young  age of 36 years old.

The following year, [[Pope Gregory IX]], moved by the many miracles that occurred at Anthony’s tomb, declared him a saint. In canonizing Anthony, Pope Gregory IX spoke of him as the “Ark of the Testament” and the “Repository of Holy Scripture.”  

The following year, [[Pope Gregory IX]], moved by the many miracles that occurred at Anthony's tomb, declared him a saint. In canonizing Anthony, Pope Gregory IX spoke of him as the “Ark of the Testament” and the “Repository of Holy Scripture.”  

==Traditions==

==Traditions==

St. Anthony is asked to intercede with God for the return of things lost or stolen. It is very common to pray to him, “Tony, Tony, turn around. Something’s lost and must be found.”  

St. Anthony is asked to intercede with God for the return of things lost or stolen. It is very common to pray to him, “Tony, Tony, turn around. Something’s lost and must be found.”  

There was a story about Anthony's visit to the Lord of Chatenauneuf. Anthony was praying far into the night when suddenly the room was filled with light more brilliant than the sun. Jesus then appeared to St. Anthony under the form of a little child. Chatenauneuf, attracted by the brilliant light that filled his house, was drawn to witness the vision but promised to tell no one of it until after St. Anthony’s death.

There was a story about Anthony's visit to the Lord of Chatenauneuf. Anthony was praying far into the night when suddenly the room was filled with light more brilliant than the sun. Jesus then appeared to St. Anthony under the form of a little child. Chatenauneuf, attracted by the brilliant light that filled his house, was drawn to witness the vision but promised to tell no one of it until after St. Anthony's death.

The zeal with which St. Anthony fought against heresy, and the great and numerous conversions he made rendered him worthy of the glorious title of Malleus hereticorum (Hammer of the Heretics).

The zeal with which St. Anthony fought against heresy, and the great and numerous conversions he made rendered him worthy of the glorious title of Malleus hereticorum (Hammer of the Heretics).