The Life of St Antony

St Antony was born Ferdinand in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1195, into a noble and wealthy family. While his parents hoped he would rise to high status in society, Ferdinand chose instead to follow a higher calling. At just 15 years old, he entered the Order of St Augustine, devoting himself to study and prayer.

After his ordination, he encountered a group of early Franciscan friars, whose humble and radical way of life deeply moved him. Drawn by their witness, he left the Augustinians and joined the Franciscan Order, taking the name Antony.

He was soon sent as a missionary to Morocco, but fell seriously ill. Attempting to return home to Portugal, his ship was caught in a storm and forced ashore in Sicily. From there, Antony journeyed to Assisi, where he met St Francis of Assisi himself. Antony was then sent to the hermitage of Monte Paolo, where he lived a quiet life of prayer and manual labour.

Antony's gift for preaching was discovered almost by accident, when he was unexpectedly asked to speak at an ordination ceremony. His sermon left the crowd astonished, and from that moment on, preaching became the defining mission of his life.

His sermons took him to Padua, where he fearlessly denounced social injustice—particularly the exploitation of the poor through excessive interest on loans. Many families were being driven into poverty and prison by greedy moneylenders. Antony’s powerful preaching inspired reform and brought hope to the oppressed. He became a tireless advocate for the poor, the voiceless, and the vulnerable, embodying both charity and justice.

St Antony died on 13th June 1231, in Arcella, at the young age of 36. His sanctity was so widely recognised that he was canonized by Pope Gregory IX just 11 months later, on 30th May 1232—one of the fastest canonizations in Church history. In 1946, Pope Pius XII declared him a Doctor of the Church, recognising the depth and power of his teaching.

To this day, St Antony is known as a wonder-worker, and countless people turn to him in prayer, seeking his powerful intercession. His life is a shining example of humility, courage, and a heart completely given to Christ and His people.

St Antony's Brief:

One of the most remarkable miracles attributed to St Antony is the story of what has become known as St Antony’s Brief, a powerful and enduring symbol of spiritual protection.

In the 13th century, a Portuguese woman, tormented by demonic oppression, fell into such despair that she resolved to take her own life by drowning in the Tagus River. On her way, she passed a shrine dedicated to St Antony. In a final act of desperation, she paused to pray.

As she poured out her sorrow, St Antony appeared to her and said:

“Arise, woman, and take this paper which will free you from the molestations of the Evil One.”

He handed her a parchment inscribed with a short but powerful prayer, now known as the Brief (or Letter) of St Antony. It featured a depiction of the Cross and the following words:

Ecce Crucem Domini

Behold the Cross of the Lord

Fugite, partes adversae

Flee, evil powers

Vicit Leo de Tribu Juda

The Lion of the Tribe of Judah has conquered

Radix David, Alleluia

The Root of David, Alleluia

Immediately, the woman was freed from her torment and no longer felt the desire to harm herself. She returned home and shared her miraculous experience. Word of the event spread quickly and reached the King of Portugal, who was so moved that he had the original Brief placed among the Crown Jewels of Portugal.

Later, when the woman’s health began to decline again, the King ordered a copy of the Brief to be made and given to her. Upon receiving it, she recovered once more. Since that time, this brief but powerful prayer has been used by the faithful as a spiritual shield, spoken or displayed in homes, carried on the person, or prayed during times of temptation, anxiety, spiritual oppression, or distress. In a world where spiritual confusion and darkness are often present, especially through modern media, these words remain a timeless reminder of Christ’s triumph over evil.

St Antony, pray for us!