St. ANthony of Padua  June 13th

St. Anthony has helped me to find many lost items. We like to honor him and thank him on his feast day.

Here is a short story to share with your family which explains why he is the Patron of Lost items.

Perhaps a game of Hide and Seek could be played after dinner with the whole family. (Yes, after everyone helps with the dishes ;)

And speaking on Dinner. . .

An Italian feast is suitable for this day--or how about just lasagne served, of course, with a loaf of St. Anthony's Bread.

Dinner Discussion: What monetary amount would you give to the poor for a granted favor? What is the favor you would ask?

"Another custom on this day is known as "St. Anthony's Bread" and goes back to A.D. 1263 when a child drowned near the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua as it was still being built. The mother besought St. Anthony and promised that if her child were restored to life, she would give to the poor an amount of wheat equal to the weight of her child. Of course her son was saved, and her promise was kept. "St. Anthony's Bread," then, is the promise of giving alms in return for a favor asked of God through St. Anthony's intercession (the custom also takes place throughout the year when parents give alms after placing their baby under the patronage of St. Anthony). In some places, the custom has a literal parallel in that loaves of bread might be blessed and given away at church or, generally, to the poor." (From www.st-anthony-medal.com)

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