05121982 JPII Saint Anthony of Padua

 

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ADDRESS TO THE FRANCISCAN COMMUNITY IN THE CHURCH OF SAN ANTONIO

(Lisbon, 12-05-82)

Prayer, the soul of evangelization, our great spiritual strength

On the afternoon of May 12, 1982, the Pope, on his apostolic journey to Portugal, after having met with the People of God in the Lisbon Cathedral, went to the adjoining Franciscan convent of San Antonio, whose church is built on the birthplace of the Saint, and addressed the following speech to those present.

Your Excellencies President and Councilors of the Municipal Chamber of Lisbon, beloved children of Saint Francis, brothers and sisters:

1. Grateful for the honorable presence of the Most Excellent Municipal Chamber and for yours, I greet you all with Franciscan joy. And using the words of the Apostle, I begin by saying to the dear Franciscans: "First of all I give thanks to my God, through Jesus Christ, for all of you, because your faith is praised throughout the world" (Rom 1,8 ). Saint Anthony, whom we honor at this time and in this place, contributed greatly to this.

Here, in this house, happily transformed into an oratory by the authorities of the Lisbon Chamber, Saint Anthony of Lisbon was born at the end of the 12th century, also invoked as Saint Anthony of Padua. In the happy expression of my predecessor Leo XIII, he is "the Saint of the whole world." In this month of May, precisely on the 30th, we are going to commemorate the 750th anniversary of his canonization, a fact to which well-known traditions of popular flavor are linked (1).

The Saint of the whole world

This year the eighth centenary of the birth of Saint Francis of Assisi is also being celebrated throughout the world. So we have redoubled reason to rejoice. And at this moment I would like to make the words of Pope Pius XII my own, to exclaim: "Exulta, Lusitania felix!" You especially, Franciscans of Portugal, rejoice! Rejoice the authorities and the people of Lisbon! Rejoice all of you, Portuguese scattered throughout the world.

2. The Franciscan movement – ​​it is a source of satisfaction for me to recall it here – had a profound impact on the spirit of the people of Portugal; and not only of the humble and uneducated people: to the sons of Saint Francis, according to what is known, the Holy See resorted many times, so that they served as intermediaries and spokespersons for it before the monarchs and nobles, in order to appease disputes, and to remember , with humility but at the same time with firmness, duties and obligations.

The missionary vocation of the Portuguese Franciscans, after Saint Anthony, is attested by the fact that Fray Lourenço de Portugal, in the 13th century, was sent to the East by Pope Innocent IV (2). And it is known that the rule of the minor friars includes a chapter on the missions (2 R 12; 1 R 16). It was that spirit that took them to Africa, India, Brazil, Ceylon and the Far East. Thus, the presence of the sons and daughters of Saint Francis in Portugal, in the Portuguese-speaking countries of the various continents, is rich in works of evangelization, assistance, teaching and parish service.

I would like to underline here the importance of the small and humble cloistered convents, where the spirit of the founder and of Saint Clare continues to live, praying there incessantly so that the multiple and active work of the other brothers and sisters "does not quench the spirit of prayer and devotion, to which the other things must serve», as the rule says (2 R 5,2). How I would like to have time to reflect with you on this point! Prayer is always the soul of evangelization, the soul of every apostolate, our great spiritual strength.

3. Inspired by the radiant sympathy of Saint Anthony, even among young people, meritorious initiatives in favor of youth started from Portugal, especially in the last century, which later spread to other parts of the world. May this Antonian commemoration serve as a stimulus to intensify Franciscan interest in young people, in accordance with the guidelines of the universal Church and in a spirit of collaboration with the local Churches, also following the instructions of Saint Francis and Saint Anthony.

I would not like to leave without an affectionate mention of the Third Order, which I know remains active and renewed among you. The Church hopes and the Pope trusts that it will be rejuvenated, well in tune with the Second Vatican Council, with new strength and the enthusiasm of those who feel like "yeast in the dough" and a participant in Christ's mission.

4. The biographical profile of the universally venerated Portuguese miracle worker, dear sons and daughters of Saint Francis, is well known to all of you: from the cathedral school, next door, to Saint Vincent de Fora, to Santa Cruz de Coimbra, He is a pilgrim evangelically in love with God, in search of a greater internalization and experience of the religious ideal, embraced in his youth, among the regular canons of Saint Augustine. After being ordained a priest in Coimbra, his yearning for a more radical response to God's call led him to mature the purpose of greater dedication and love for God, in the ardent desire to be a missionary and a martyr in Africa. With this intention he became a Franciscan.

Providence, however, directed Fray Antonio towards the lands of Italy and France. In his first experiences as a Franciscan, he accepted setbacks, faithful to his ideal, and responded with joy to divine designs, in a total dedication of generous service, praying and teaching theology to the friars, patiently, like a farmer waiting, until receiving the early and latter rain, until the Lord is manifested, in some way (cf. Sant 5,7). What a beautiful life lesson, brothers and sisters! Then consummate his brief existence, coming to exercise, always serving with humility, the position of minister or superior in the Order. When he died, around the age of forty, the words of Wisdom could be applied to him: «Arrived in a short time to perfection, he lived a long life» (Wis 4,13).

Permanence of the message of the Evangelical Doctor

His teaching and ministry of the Word, like his experience as a friar and priest, are marked by his love for the Church, instilled by the rule (1 R 17). "A most expert exegete in the interpretation of the Holy Scriptures, an eminent theologian in the investigation of dogmas, a distinguished doctor and teacher in the treatment of ascetic and mystical issues", as Pope Pius XII would say (3), he insistently preaches the Word (cf. 2 Tim 4,2), moved by the evangelizing desire to "lead back the lost to the path of righteousness." He does it, however, with the freedom of a poor heart, faithful to God, faithful to his response to God, in adherence to Christ and in accordance with the guidelines of the Church. A true communion with Christ demands that a real harmony be cultivated and put into practice with the ecclesial community, governed by the legitimate Pastors.

5. The Evangelical Doctor still speaks to the men of our time, above all pointing to the Church, as the vehicle of Christ's salvation. The Saint's incorrupt tongue and his phonation organs, which were found miraculously intact, seem to attest to the permanence of his message. Fray Antonio's voice, through his sermons, is still alive and penetrating; In particular, its coordinates contain a living call for religious today, called by the Second Vatican Council to bear witness to the holiness of the Church and fidelity to Christ, as collaborators with bishops and priests (4).

The letter of greeting from Saint Francis to Fray Antonio is well known, in which he writes: «I like that you read theology to the friars, as long as, in that study, you do not quench the spirit of prayer and devotion, as contained in in the rule." And an accredited theologian affirms that the Evangelical Doctor knew how to remain faithful to this principle: «...following the example of John the Baptist, he also burned; and from that ardor came light: it was a lamp that burned and shone» (5). That is why San Antonio remained in history as a precursor of the Franciscan School, impregnated by the sapiential and practical purpose of knowledge.

6. Dear brothers and sisters:

I know that the Cardinal Patriarch, the Municipal Chamber of Lisbon and the Franciscan Family are making efforts to have a great temple, future cathedral, dedicated to Saint Anthony, erected in this city, also with the aim of perpetuating the devotion of the Portuguese communities scattered around the world. Beautiful and laudable initiative! May I succeed in congregating all the Portuguese around the great Saint Anthony of Lisbon, in unity of faith and harmony of hearts, for the glory of God.

But this material temple must be, above all, an expression of "yourselves, like living stones, integrated into the construction of the spiritual house" (cf. 1 Pe 2,5), with life, ministry and apostolic service, that they must always be bearers of evangelical values. May the example of Saint Anthony penetrate deeply into your spirit, so that you may continue his work, as dispensers of the salvation and goodness of Christ and servants of his Church, with the testimony and proclamation of the Good News.

Your consecrated life and your collaboration in spreading the Gospel are a source of encouragement and joy for me, in my mission as Pastor of the universal Church. May God help you, and call many others to follow Christ in religious life, in the spirit of the "Poor Man of Assisi", as Saint Anthony knew how to assimilate. Through his intercession I implore "peace and good" for all, with my Apostolic Blessing.

REFERENCES

Cf. Léon de Kerval, Sancti Antonii de Padua Vitae duae (Paris 1904), 116-117.

Cf. Antonino Franchi, La svolta politico-ecclesiastica tra Roma e Bisanzio 1249-1254 (Rome 1981), 15, 16, 37, 74, 123, 127, 128, 161, 214.

Apostolic Letter of Pope Pius XII, Exulta, Lusitania Felix, in AAS 38 (1964) 201. Lopes, San António de Lisboa, 296-297.

S. Antonii Patavini, or. min. Doctoris Evangelici Sermones Dominicales et Festivi, Dominica II de Adventu (II, Patavi 1979), 478-491. trad. Henrique Pinto Rows, ofm, Santo António de Lisboa. Complete Works, III (Lisbon 1970), 39-43.

Francisco Da Gama Caeiro, Santo António de Lisboa, I (Lisbon 1967), 147-148.