As the Feast of St Anthony Approaches…
By Suzana Fantov
Photos: archives
St Anthony is one of the most beloved saints of the Catholic Church. He is widely known and venerated as St Anthony of Padua, as his relics are kept in the famous Italian city of Padua. Although he was actually born in Portugal, his connection to Padua remains strong.
St Anthony of Padua (1195–1231) is celebrated on 13 June. He is the patron saint of lost things, protector of sick children, helper in infertility, and a defender of the poor and imprisoned.
A Deep Devotion Among Croatian Catholics in Australia
St Anthony holds a special place in the hearts of Croatian Catholics in Australia. His feast is marked by numerous Holy Masses, devotions, the traditional 13 Tuesdays of St Anthony and more.
At the Croatian Catholic Centre of St Anthony of Padua in Summer Hill, led by Fr Davor Filko, the 13 Tuesdays of devotion run from 18 March to 10 June. A three-day spiritual preparation (triduum) will begin on Tuesday, 10 June at 6:30pm.
On Sunday, 15 June, the community will hold a grand celebration of the Feast of St Anthony with a church picnic following the Masses at 8:30am and 11:00am. All are kindly invited to contribute homemade cakes if possible.
Celebration in Geelong
A solemn Mass will also be celebrated at the Croatian Catholic Centre in Geelong, where Fr Vedran Lešić, parish priest of HKC Springvale, is currently serving. This Mass will take place on Sunday, 15 June 2025 at 11:30am.
Traditionally, a large number of pilgrims from other Croatian Catholic centres and communities across Victoria attend this Mass. In particular, the chapel of St Anthony in Geelong houses a unique relic of the saint (a fragment of his bone). It was brought in 2019.
Community Gatherings and Celebrations
In true Croatian spirit, the Feast of St Anthony is also marked by lunches and social gatherings organised by Croatian centres and clubs. So far, the following events have been confirmed:
- A community lunch at AHD Croatian Club Geelong
- A Family Picnic Day at the Croatian Sports Centre Gold Coast
If your community or club is organising an event for the Feast of St Anthony, please let us know. We can share the details and later cover your celebration with words and photos.
HUMANITARIAN – CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION “BREAD OF ST. ANTHONY”
Bread of St. Anthony is a charitable institution of the Franciscan Province of Bosna Srebrena. It was born out of the Franciscan sense of compassion for fellow human beings and concern for those in need. This covers both spiritual and material needs. The institution is the heir to the former “Confraternity of the Bread of St. Anthony” (1896) and the Humanitarian Society “Bread of St. Anthony” (1992). There are registered branches in Croatia (Zagreb), Austria (Kufstein), Australia (Canberra), and Switzerland (Jona). There are also unregistered chapters in all parishes where Bosnian Franciscans are pastorally active.
A Legacy of Compassion Rooted in Franciscan Tradition
The Australian branch was opened in Wollongong in 2004 during a visit to Australia by the then-director of the organisation, Fra Stipan Radić. In 2017, the branch was relocated to Canberra, and in 2018 it was officially registered with Australian authorities. This registration makes it subject to their oversight and transparency regulations. The statute defines that aid may be sent to Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rwanda, the Solomon Islands, and Australia. All donors may request tax deductions for their donations.
Empowering Missionary Work and Disaster Relief
Over the years, KSA has been the extended hand of Australian Croats’ generosity to those in need. In addition to regular fundraising efforts, it is especially worth highlighting the organisation’s support for our missionaries in Africa—Fra Ilija Barišić and Fra Ivica Perić—as well as for our nuns on the Solomon Islands. Furthermore, KSA provides support for victims of the 2014 floods in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. They also assist in the restoration of the Marian shrine in Olovo, among many other humanitarian efforts.
The organisation is open to all forms of humanitarian and charitable activities. These activities aim to improve the quality of life for individuals and communities. https://hkc.com.au/kruh-svetog-ante/
A Saint for the Whole World
St Anthony is not just the saint of Padua or Portugal — he is a saint for the whole world. His life is beautifully reflected in the Novena to St Anthony. In each prayer, we ask that if we lose God’s grace through sin or hardship, we may find our way back through his intercession.
He is often invoked for lost material items. However, his primary mission is to lead souls back to grace and to God. He is constantly interceding for us, helping us return to the path of God’s mercy.
The Story Behind the Patron of Lost Things
St Anthony earned the title patron of lost items after one remarkable event. He once believed he had misplaced a very precious book of Psalms — rare and expensive at the time, made of parchment and handwritten. It turned out the book had been stolen. He prayed earnestly for its return, and not long after, the thief brought it back.
A Humble Worker of Miracles
Saint Anthony is famously associated with a legend of preaching to the fish. The story, often depicted in art and literature, recounts how Saint Anthony preached to the fish in Rimini when the local heretics refused to listen to him.
We often call him a miracle worker — and rightly so. The Catholic Church teaches that miracles are supernatural acts of God, and saints can become instruments of these divine actions.
St Anthony is known for many miracles, but what sets him apart is his humility. He always acknowledged that it was Christ acting through him, never claiming credit for himself. He attributed everything to God’s grace and will.
His preaching, writing, and way of life all glorified Christ. It’s said that after meeting St Francis of Assisi at La Verna, St Anthony became even more devoted to Christ’s Passion. He saw the crucified and glorified Christ in Francis’ wounds — the stigmata. From that moment, his own spirituality deepened.
