St. Anthony of Padua( Św. Antoni Padewski) is the patron saint of innumerable churches, parishes and sanctuaries all over Poland and it is estimated that over 198 towns derive their name from the name of St. Anthony. There is hardly a church in Poland without an altar or a statue of this saint not to mention roadside figures and chapels. The chapel of St. Anthony, carved in salt in Wieliczka, one of the oldest chapels in the mine dating to the 17th century. The first mass said in the chapel for the miners, who also took him on as a patron because they searched for “white gold,” i.e,, salt, was in 1698. Chapel of St. Anothony in Wieliczka Salt Mine from old postcard. Public domain.
St. Antholny proved to be an excellent preacher and a person with deep theological knowledge. He began to preach the word of God earnestly as an itinerant preacher. He is usually invoked in finding lost or stolen things. “Św. Antoni, dopomóż odszukać koni!” St. Anthony help us find our horse, says the old proverb/prayer that was invoked with lost (or sometimes stolen) horses. The history of praying to St. Anthony for lost items can be traced back to an incident in Anthony’s own life when he had lost a book of psalms that was very important to him for teaching students in his Franciscan order. A novice who had grown tired of living religious life decided to depart the community and also took Anthony’s psalter with him. Upon realizing his psalter was missing, Anthony prayed it would be found or returned to him. The novice became conrite over his actions and was not only moved to return the psalter to Anthony but returned to the Franciscan Order as well. Shortly after his death people began praying through Anthony to find or recover lost and stolen articles. St. Anthony of Padua is generally depicted in a brown Franciscan habit, having taken vows with the Franciscan order who spread his popularity throughout Poland. He is typically portrayed holding the child Jesus (who was to have appeared to him) in his arms, or a lily (symbol of a pure life devoted to God), or a book (he was canonized as a Doctor of the Church) or all three. His feast day is celebrated today, the 13th of June. Excerpted from upcoming book: Spirit of Place: The Roadside Shrines of Poland by Sophie Hodorowicz Knab Photo of St. Anthony shrine by Michał Zalewski located in Zwiartów, Lublin region, eastern Poland.
8 Comments
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K scott
8/6/2023 02:55:07 am
I luv u and miss u with all my heart
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Karen Olszyk
11/11/2023 10:04:47 am
Dear St. Anthony please help me to find the Polish cookbook that has been lost for I think 2 years and the Santa and Mrs. Clays my mother in law gave me that I can’t remember where I put it from last Christmas. Thank you!
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This blog post beautifully captures the deep connection people have with St. Anthony, especially in times of loss and longing. The way Sophie Hodorowicz Knab traces the history and significance of praying to St. Anthony for lost items is both insightful and heartfelt. It’s a wonderful blend of history, faith, and personal reflection. The anecdote about St. Anthony's own experience with a lost psalter adds a rich layer of authenticity to the tradition. I especially appreciate how the article highlights the cultural reverence for St. Anthony in Poland, creating a vivid picture of how intertwined faith and everyday life are. This piece not only educates but also invites readers to connect with the tradition on a deeper, more personal level. Thank you for sharing this meaningful perspective.
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One of the biggest moments in my life was being able to sign for my very own library card. When I'm not reading, researching and writing I'm riding my bike, sewing or gardening. I love flea markets, folk art, and traveling to Poland.
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