In Padua, you only need to say “il Santo” and everyone knows who you mean. Saint Anthony is one of Italy’s most beloved saints: people pray to him when they lose something, carry him in their pocket, and give him to those who are leaving. He is also deeply loved in Spain, and his medals are among the most popular items at Khartes. That is why we wanted to tell you his story in Italian.
A Portuguese man who became Paduan
Few people know that Saint Anthony was not Italian and was not named Anthony. He was born in Lisbon around 1195 into a noble family and baptized Fernando de Bulhões. He first became an Augustinian canon, but was so struck by the simplicity of the early Franciscans that he joined the Order and chose the name Anthony. He intended to go on a mission to Morocco, but fell ill and ended up in Italy when his ship arrived. There, he met Saint Francis of Assisi and became one of the most famous preachers of his time.
The Saint of Miracles
Crowds filled the squares to hear him speak, and the people of Padua called him “the father of the poor and comforter of those in need.” He died very young, at the age of 36, on June 13, 1231, in Arcella, on the outskirts of Padua. He was canonized just eleven months later, in 1232, by Pope Gregory IX—a record in the history of the Church. In 1946, Pope Pius XII proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church, with the title “Evangelical Doctor.”
The Saint’s Basilica and the incorrupt tongue
On the site of the small church of Santa Maria Mater Domini, where he had been buried, the people of Padua built the great Basilica of Saint Anthony, which still welcomes pilgrims from around the world today. In 1263, Saint Bonaventure, then the general minister of the Franciscans, opened the casket containing the Saint’s remains and found his tongue incorrupt, while the rest of his body had decomposed. For the great preacher, there could be no more eloquent sign. Today, the incorrupt tongue is venerated in the Basilica’s Chapel of the Relics, or Chapel of the Treasure.
Bread, the Christ Child, and lost things
Saint Anthony is often depicted with the Christ Child in his arms and with bread: his devotion to the Lord and his charity toward those in need continue through the “bread of Saint Anthony” for the poor. People pray to him to find lost things, to find love, and to protect children and families. As Pope Leo XIII said, he is “the saint of the whole world.”
Our Saint Anthony medals
With natural pearls€69
With ruby and sapphire€69
With lapis lazuli€65
Multicolor€69
With fluorite€69
With topazes€69
With amazonite€69
Natural pearls and navy blue enamel€69
Our Saint Anthony medals are round, inspired by antique family medals, and are handmade in Spain by the same workshops and enamel artists we have worked with from the very beginning. They come with a 40 cm Spanish chain and a 5 cm extension and arrive in gift packaging at no extra cost, with an exclusive illustration of the Saint and a text about his story, so you know what you are wearing around your neck. If it is a gift, we will handwrite the message you choose free of charge. We ship to Italy. Discover all our Saint Anthony medals.
Who to give a Saint Anthony medal to
- For a wedding or proposal: the medal with natural pearls, the most classic choice, for those who have found love (with a little help from the Saint).
- For an Anthony or Antonella on June 13: the medal with ruby and sapphire, with a touch of color.
- For a baptism: the medal with pearls and navy blue enamel, so that the protector of children can accompany them from their very first day.
- For someone who is leaving or looking for something (a job, a home, a path): the multicolor medal.
Facts you can verify
- Saint Anthony, born in Lisbon, died at the age of 36 and was canonized just 11 months later, a record in the history of the Church; the people of Padua called him “the father of the poor.” Source
- In 1263, Saint Bonaventure found the Saint’s tongue incorrupt; today it is kept in the Basilica’s Chapel of the Relics. Source
- He died on June 13, 1231, in Arcella, near Padua, and was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII in 1946. Source
The most beautiful medals are on www.khartesmadrid.com. Follow us on Instagram: @khartesmadrid.
Marian and Bárbara