Saint Anthony of Padua Preaches to the Fish. By Dr. Chapman Chen

Saint Anthony of Padua (1195–1231), born Fernando Martins de Bulhões in Lisbon, Portugal, was a Catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan Order, renowned for his powerful preaching, deep theological knowledge, and compassion for the poor and animals. Numerous legends portray him as having a mystical bond with animals. He also performed miracles during his lifetime and after his death.

One of the most familiar tales recounts how, when the townsfolk of Rimini ignored Anthony’s sermon, he turned toward the sea and proclaimed his message to the fish. The creatures are said to have swum to the shoreline and raised their heads above the water, listening intently. Many readers see this marvel as evidence of Anthony’s tender spirit and his acknowledgment that animals, too, belong to God’s handiwork (Hudleston 1926, Little Flowers of St Francis, Ch. XL https://pages.uoregon.edu/sshoemak/322/Texts/flowers.htm)   

A second anecdote relates that Anthony confronted a heretic who denied Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist. He proposed a test: after fasting, the skeptic’s mule would be offered both fodder and the consecrated Host. According to the story, the animal ignored the food, bent its knees, and reverently bowed before the Blessed Sacrament—an act often taken to illustrate the spiritual sensitivity of creatures and the truth of the divine mystery (Arnald 2010, Chronicle of the Twenty-Four Generals of the Order of Friars Minor, trans. Noel Muscat, https://franciscanstudies.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/chronica_final.pdf).

Originally an Augustinian canon, Saint Anthony was inspired to join the Franciscans in 1220 after witnessing the martyrdom of Franciscan missionaries in Morocco. Taking the name Anthony, he hoped to follow in their footsteps but fell ill and ended up in Italy, where his gift for preaching was soon discovered.

Anthony became one of the most celebrated preachers of his time, known for calling people to repentance, confronting heresies, and advocating for social justice. He was especially devoted to the Eucharist, the poor, and the marginalized.

Anthony died in Padua, Italy, at the age of 36. He was canonised within a year of his death and later declared a Doctor of the Church in 1946. He is the patron saint of lost items, the poor, and travelers, and remains one of the most beloved saints in the Catholic tradition. #VeganGod #VeganChrist #VeganTheology #VeganChurch

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