DURING my summer holidays I spent a few days in Portugal. I had wanted to visit this country for some time, especially because I wished to see the native city of Saint Anthony, a saint who means so much to me. Up to this time I had only passed through Lisbon once for a few hours. This time I didn’t want to be in a hurry because I wanted to spend some time in the two places most connected to his life there: Santo António Church and the Cathedral.
Although we all know him as the Saint of Padua, Anthony was originally from Lisbon. He was born in this quaint old city with its steep hills overlooking the Tagus River which flows into the Atlantic Ocean on August 15, 1195. The church dedicated to him is located in the Alfama district, the oldest in the city, and, according to tradition, it stands on the site of Anthony’s family home. The area seems unchanged since those days with its winding cobblestone streets, and it isn’t difficult to imagine him playing there.
On May 12, 1982, Pope John Paul II visited the church and inaugurated a statue of Saint Anthony in the square in front of the shrine. He also prayed in the crypt, which marks the spot where Anthony was born.
I can assure you that it was a powerful experience to kneel on the same prie-dieu that had been used by the Pope who has become one of the most popular saints in the world, and to pray, as he did: for peace, the sick and the downtrodden. Naturally, I also took the occasion to bring your prayers and petitions to our saint, dear readers. You have been following us with such affection, interest and generosity all these years that I consider you to be part of my extended family.
Just a block away from Santo António Church is the Cathedral of St. Mary Major. This is the oldest church in the city. It was built by Portugal’s first king in 1150 on the site of an old mosque. The city’s first bishop was the English crusader Gilbert of Hastings. From outside it resembles a medieval fortress. Saint Anthony’s baptismal font stands in a chapel to the left just beyond the main entrance, and it is decorated with the distinctive blue tiles (azulejos) peculiar to Portugal. These tell the miracle of St. Anthony preaching to the fish.
After visiting the Cathedral and having prayed in front of the font where Anthony became part of God’s family, I was about to leave the shrine when my eye caught sight of a sign indicating the way to the ancient cloisters.
This part of the shrine is currently in the midst of large-scale repairs, and the central area, where the garden would be, appears to be subject to excavations. The shrine is in a dilapidated condition, yet it remains a stunning sight to behold, oozing faith and history. I was looking at the cloisters with keen interest when suddenly, in one of its chapels, I saw something that seemed very familiar: a bronze bust of St. Anthony. However, it was not just any bust of our Saint; it was the exact copy of a reliquary we have here in the Basilica in Padua! I had the honour of taking that reliquary to India, Australia, Singapore, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, East Timor, the Philippines and Indonesia in 1995 on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the birth of Saint Anthony.
When I arrived back in Padua, I found out that the Rector of the Basilica had, in fact, given that copy of the reliquary as a gift to the Cathedral in Lisbon many years ago. I can assure you that I had no idea it was there, and to see it like that, without prior warning, was like a sign from heaven. It was as if our Saint was letting me know that he really does appreciate my ministry of serving as his companion whenever he visits his faithful wherever they might be. His hand raised out in blessing seemed to be encouraging me to continue this work.
I left the Cathedral feeling inwardly strengthened and renewed. I had gone to Portugal simply to see the places of Anthony’s childhood, and I was returning to Padua fortified and happy.
In the course of my life I have received many signs from our Saint, assuring me of his support, protection and encouragement, however, in most cases it took a while before I was able to understand them. This time I got the message immediately.
Updated on October 06 2016