Born
in 1681 at Lucera, southeastern Italy, Francis Anthony was the son of very
poor peasants; but he was a bright lad, and received a good education from the
Conventual Franciscans in his native town. When he was 14 he received the
habit of St. Francis among the Conventuals, and in 1705 he was ordained to the
priesthood. He was then sent to the Sagro Convento, adjoining the basilica in
Assisi where St. Francis is buried, for the purpose of continuing his studies.
Two years later he received the doctorate in theology, and he was then
appointed lector of philosophy in the college conducted by the Conventuals in
his home town. He was promoted successively to regent of studies, guardian,
and provincial, which latter office he held from 1721 to 1723. After that he
served as master of novices, and then as pastor of the church of St. Francis
in Lucera. A bishopric was offered to him, but he declined it.
From the process of beatification we learn that
Francis Anthony was diligent in study, fervent in piety, prompt in his
obedience to his superiors, devout in meditation, and most exact in the
fulfillment of all his duties. He was also mortified and given to the
exercises of penance even to bloodshed. From his youth he was an "angel in the
flesh, more an angel than a man."
Among the devotions that he cherished there were
especially a tender love for the Immaculate Mother of God, a childlike
affection for the Infant Jesus, and fervent devotion, also night adoration, of
the Holy Eucharist. Once, while he was absorbed in prayer, someone who
happened to be in the church heard a voice saying: "This priest prays much for
his people."
As a priest, he also became an eloquent preacher, a
lover of the poor, a friend of the unfortunate. He was a missionary, a
retreat-master, and a Lenten preacher. For hours he would sit in the
confessional, hearing and absolving the sins of his penitents, consoling the
afflicted, warning the hardened of heart. He spent much time in visiting the
sick, the orphans, and the imprisoned. As a pastor he was a real father to his
people.
After 35 years in the priesthood and a life of
penance, union with God, and intense labor the salvation of souls, God called
Father Francis Anthony to Himself on November 29, 1742. On that day the people
of Lucera came hurrying to the church of St. Francis, exclaiming as did the
children at the death of St. Anthony of Padua, "The saint is dead! The saint
is dead!" And for 200 years since then, they have continues to kneel and pray
at his tomb. The cause of his beatification was introduced in Rome in 1832;
and in 1951 Pope Pius XII solemnly enrolled him among the blessed.
PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Grant, we pray, O Lord,
that Thy faithful people may ever rejoice in venerating Thy blessed servant
Francis Anthony and all Thy saints and may be aided by their unceasing
prayers. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
from:
The Franciscan Book
of Saints, ed. by
Marion Habig, ofm., © 1959 Franciscan Herald
Press
Also on
November 27th: In 1830-31 Our Lady appeared four times to St. Catharine
Laboure in Paris and instructed her to have the Miraculous Medal struck. On
these occasions, Our Lady showed herself to St. Catharine as the Immaculate
Conception and the Miraculous Medal is really the Medal of the Immaculate
Conception. On the medal are the words of the little prayer which Our Lady
herself wishes us to say, “O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have
recourse to thee.” This feast is observed by the Conventuals.
