Description
St. Anthony was born to a pious, wealthy family in Portugal in 1195 AD. In his early adult years, he became a studious reader of Scripture and the Holy Church Fathers, desiring to live the religious life of a friar in poverty like the Franciscans. Having studied with humility, he began to preach the gospel and expound on scripture with great fervor and profound understanding. He became so popular that he was noticed by St. Francis of Assisi, who encouraged him to teach more, provided that the “spirit of prayer and devotion may not be extinguished”, which is so important to the religious life of a Franciscan. Defending the truth of the faith by his preaching, sometimes to thousands of people at once, he also converted many who were falling from the ancient gospel and was known for working miracles. Because of this and other miracles, he is known as the patron saint of lost souls and things. He also preached on virtue and radically abandoning attachments to vices of luxury, avarice, and tyranny against neighbor.
Also notable in his saintly life is the celebrated appearance of the Infant Jesus to him. A rich man named Count Tiso passed by Anthony’s room, which glowed as though a fire had started. Rushing to see if the friar was safe, he saw St. Anthony kneeling and embracing the Infant Jesus in ecstasy, Who embraced the saint back. Because of this vision, he, after the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph, is the one most depicted holding the Infant Jesus. This statue reminds us of the saint’s child-like closeness to Jesus and the goodness of approaching God with humility, just as He became an Infant for us.
Offered with permission and in partnership with Jimmy’s Bazaar in Jerusalem, Israel.
–> The wood grain of each piece is unique, and may differ from the one pictured.
-> Measures about 9.5″.
–> Shipping included for orders exceeding $50.
