Miracles of St. Anthony
A chronicle of the extraordinary signs and wonders attributed to the intercession of St. Anthony of Padua.
Major Historical Miracles
Famous events in the life of the saint that led to his global devotion.
The Return of Stolen Goods
A novice stole St. Anthony’s precious handwritten psalter upon leaving the order. Anthony prayed for its return. The thief, moved by grace and reportedly terrified by a vision, returned the book and joined the order again. This book is preserved to this day in Bologna, inspiring the responsory: 'Treasures lost are found again.'
The Vision of Child Jesus
While staying with the Lord of Chatenauneuf, Anthony was praying late into the night. Suddenly, a brilliant heavenly light filled the room, and Jesus appeared as a small child, standing on his book and embracing him. Chatenauneuf witnessed this event but kept it secret until the saint's death.
Patron of Sailors & Travelers
In 1647, Father Erastius Villani was caught in a violent sea storm. He urged passengers to pray to St. Anthony and threw pieces of cloth that had touched a relic of St. Anthony into the sea. The storm ended immediately. Today, sailors and fishermen in Portugal, Italy, and Spain venerate him.
The Donkey Adoring the Host
To prove the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist to a skeptic heretic, Anthony presented the Host to a donkey that had been kept fasting for three days. Even when oats were placed before the animal, it turned, knelt down, and bowed its head to adore the Blessed Sacrament.
Healing of the Amputated Foot
A youth named Leonardo confessed that in a fit of rage he had kicked his mother. Anthony noted: 'The foot of him who kicks his mother deserves to be cut off.' Filled with remorse, Leonardo amputated his own foot. Hearing of this, St. Anthony took the foot and miraculously rejoined it completely.
Additional Devotional Rites
Hagiographies of St. Anthony document continuous miraculous works, showing how the Lord worked through his humblest servant.
Rrendered poisoned food harmless by making the Sign of the Cross over it.
Preached to the fish on the banks of the River Brenta, who leaped out of the water to listen.
Experienced bilocation: appeared in a choir to sing a Lesson while simultaneously preaching in Limoges.
Miraculously preserved his audience from heavy rain during an outdoor sermon in Limoges.
Predicted a pulpit collapse at St. Junien, ensuring all remained safe and sound when it occurred.
Delivered a monk from intense temptation by letting him wear his monastic tunic.
Confirmed a novice's vocation by breathing on his face.
Preserved a maid-servant and the vegetables she carried from heavy rain at Brive.
“The devil is afraid of us when we pray and make sacrifices. He is also afraid when we are humble and good. He is especially afraid when we love Jesus very much. He runs away when we make the Sign of the Cross.”— St. Anthony of Padua