02151350 Transfer of the relics of St Anthony
St Anthony, patron saint of Padua, is also known as Anthony of Lisbon. When his coffin was moved 30 years after his burial it was opened and it is claimed most of his body was found to have returned to dust. However his tongue remained fresh, which was seen as a sign of his gift of preaching, and was kept in a separate relic box.
The first time his remains were moved in 1263, under the direction of St Bonaventure, and the final transfer to Relics Chapel of Padua's Basilica on February 15 1350. Anthony's relics were last displayed in 1981, marking the 750th anniversary of his death.
He was only 35 years old when he died and is one of the 'quickest' saints in the history of the Catholic Church to be canonized, less than a year after his passing. Today he is one of the most famous saints and is often called upon by Catholics to help find lost possessions. He is usually depicted with a book and the Baby Jesus Christ and is commonly known today as the "finder of lost articles."
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