Last Effort

“SO GREAT a desire to preach inflamed him that he decided to do so for the next forty days. Truly, he did just that. And it certainly arouses wonder since a man, who was afflicted by a certain natural bulkiness and furthermore who suffered from continuous illness, nevertheless, out of untiring zeal for souls, persevered in preaching until sunset, and often without having eaten.” This is how the Assidua introduces the last and extremely active phase of Anthony’s life.

In 1231, as Lent approached, Anthony set aside his desk work and the completion of his Sermons for Sundays and Festivals (now translated in their entirety into English in four volumes by Father Paul Spilsbury) to immerse himself in the vibrant life of his city. He planned something unprecedented: preaching continuously for all forty days of Lent. These were not intended to be short homilies, but lengthy sermons delivered in a different church each day, often lasting for hours. At the end of each sermon, as part of the program, a group of friars would listen to the confessions of those in attendance.

Original initiative

Anthony was certainly among the first to plan and execute such an extensive program. Later, similar preaching cycles would become a hallmark of Franciscan itinerant preachers and community missionaries.

The homilies were delivered in the local language to reach the common people and convey, clarify, and strengthen the Gospel message. At that time, Church Latin, used for the Roman Liturgy, was incomprehensible to most of the population. This development – the use of the local language – represented the Church’s response to contemporary challenges, as many heretical lay and mendicant groups had begun using the vernacular in their proclamations outside churches and Mass services. The advantage was clear: direct contact with the people.

However, let’s return to Anthony. His program in Padua required meticulous preparation centered around a cohesive theme. This undertaking demanded significant effort and immediate attention. Moreover, Anthony was no longer in the best of health, suffering from dropsy, which caused considerable swelling. This condition had numerous implications, affecting him in various ways.

Anthony of Padua

One consequence of this preaching marathon was that Anthony established himself as a central figure in Paduan life. He had already been living in Padua for several years, staying there during breaks from his preaching activities. However, his Lenten sermons solidified his identity as “Anthony of Padua,” forever linking him to the city and its inhabitants.

The effort began on February 5 and concluded on April 23, leaving an indelible mark on Padua’s history. From the very beginning, people flocked to hear him. Anthony was not presenting himself as merely a ‘pious entertainer,’ but was precise in his description and criticism of the city and the moral failings of its inhabitants. Despite this, men – and even more so, women – came to listen to his words in ever-greater numbers. The churches he had chosen for his program soon became unable to contain the multitude of listeners, forcing him to move to the city squares and preach in the open air. Remember, there were no microphones or loudspeakers in those days.

On some days, up to 30,000 people came to listen. Although this figure may seem exaggerated (Padua’s population was only about 15,000), evidence indicates that a major event of these dimensions was indeed taking place. The entire life of the city was being turned upside down. Even if only a tenth of the population attended each sermon, there was a constant flow of people.

Huge crowds

“To be sure of a good position, people gathered during the early hours of the morning where the sermon was due to take place. Whoever was able to find the time came to the service: the old and the young, men and women, even soldiers. Led by the bishop at their head, followed by the diocesan clergy, the Friars Minor and members of the other Orders, professors and students. It must have seemed like a pilgrimage to a shrine with the presence of all the city’s highly respected dignitaries. Even the nobility turned up, as did the artisans and the merchants. During the sermons, the reverent silence ruled the city. The shops were closed and the market traders, who would have benefited from the increased flow of customers, left their stalls.”

This vivid description by Lothar Hardick captures the transformative effect Anthony’s sermons had on Padua. The city was gripped by what seemed like a religious revival.

Holy intoxication

Moreover, during this extraordinary period, events seemed to overtake the Paduans. Undoubtedly, there were already people who wanted to own a ‘relic’ of this fantastic preacher, spurred on by the fact that everyone realized Anthony was no longer in the best of health. They literally approached him and tried to cut off bits of his habit, as though collecting a victor’s trophy and wanting to possess ‘something holy’ (officially, Anthony was not yet, and could not have been, a saint). As a result, Anthony was always accompanied by a group of bodyguards who ensured he arrived safely at his preaching locations. Still, the Paduans managed to cut off bits of his habit.

During these weeks, Padua witnessed a wave of conversions. Anthony’s sermons were certainly a major catalyst, but not the sole factor. Various elements contributed to this phenomenon, which should not be dismissed as mere coincidences. The city experienced a profound ‘desire for good’, a ‘holy intoxication’, deeply affecting its inhabitants. The impact extended beyond individual transformations, influencing the daily political and social life of Padua. Anthony’s calls for penance and conversion led people back to the Sacrament of Reconciliation and inspired concrete actions. The words of the Prophet Isaiah aptly describe the events: Prisoners were freed, mourners were consoled, and the sick made whole.

Role model

The question of how all this could have happened obviously springs to mind. However, it is still difficult to give a complete answer. It can certainly be said that Anthony knew how to communicate with people, and was aware of their daily problems and struggles, which gave the right tone to his homilies. This, however, is only part of the answer. We must also bear in mind the thirst for authentic religion and truth in the heart of the people. It was a turbulent and alarming time when society seemed to be changing radically, and this is the reason why people longed for fixed points and role models. Guidance had become doubly important and pressing – a feeling shared by many of us even today! All these factors acted together and found in Anthony a mouthpiece, a holy man who offered the right answers. For Padua, it was hard to imagine a more suitable figure for such a pivotal moment.