“Mom, I can’t find my recorder, and I HAVE to practice for school!”
My immediate reaction was a sigh of relief, as I cringe at the sound of the recorder being played in our house and car.
I began my search in her bedroom.
Pause—Time for a quick intercessory prayer to St. Anthony (he is always helpful when searching for a lost item).
Pause—Maybe I won’t say a prayer after all (Is this a sin?). (Did I mention that I really don’t enjoy the recorder?) I tossed her comforter to the side and THERE IT WAS, shiny in all its glory.
Pause–I pondered if I should quickly toss the instrument in the trash. At that moment, my daughter arrived and vehemently expressed her excitement when she saw me holding her recorder. She squealed and said that St. Anthony never lets her down.
I bit my lip knowing that this Franciscan was likely smirking at my poor discernment in prayer, or lack thereof.
“Tony, Tony look around, something is lost and must be found.”
This prayer has become a staple in many Catholic homes. St. Anthony became the patron saint of finder of lost objects, and found himself by losing himself totally to the providence of God.
At the age of 15, St. Anthony entered the religious order of St. Augustine, but later joined the Franciscan order and was known for his powerful preaching. After five martyred Franciscan bodies were returned from Morocco, St. Anthony’s life as a priest took a turn. He requested, “Brother…promise to send me as soon as possible to the land of the Saracens, that I may gain the crown of the holy martyrs.”
What? He wanted to risk his life to be a witness for Christ? This man was destined for sainthood!
St. Anthony reminds us all, “The life of the body is the soul, the life of the soul is Christ.”
