Changes

After 10 years, he left the Augustinian Order for the Fransican Order. St. Anthony made this decision after he encountered five Franciscan priests en-route to Morocco to preach the good news of Christ. All five ended up [[martyred]] by torture and beheadings. This inspired St. Anthony to preach abroad "...that I may gain the crown of the holy martyrs." <ref>[http://www.stanthony.org/aboutanthony/WhoIs.asp Life of St. Anthony of Padua] St. Anthony Shrine</ref> He was granted his wish and departed for the land of Saracens. Though, he became seriously ill and after several months realized he had to go home. He never made it back home. His ship ran off course due to bad weather and months later, he ended up in [[Sicily]] where he was nursed back to health by the friars at the city of Messina.

After 10 years, he left the Augustinian Order for the Fransican Order. St. Anthony made this decision after he encountered five Franciscan priests en-route to Morocco to preach the good news of Christ. All five ended up [[martyred]] by torture and beheadings. This inspired St. Anthony to preach abroad "...that I may gain the crown of the holy martyrs." <ref>[http://www.stanthony.org/aboutanthony/WhoIs.asp Life of St. Anthony of Padua] St. Anthony Shrine</ref> He was granted his wish and departed for the land of Saracens. Though, he became seriously ill and after several months realized he had to go home. He never made it back home. His ship ran off course due to bad weather and months later, he ended up in [[Sicily]] where he was nursed back to health by the friars at the city of Messina.

His quiet life of prayer and penance at the hermitage near Montepaolo was exchanged for that of a public preacher. 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.”