Saint Anthony of Padua is the patron saint of everyday impossibilities: the one who helps us find lost things, find a partner, and get out of a jam. One of his oldest and most beloved devotions is the 13 Tuesdays of Saint Anthony. We’ll explain what it is, how to do it, and provide a prayer for each Tuesday.
What are the 13 Tuesdays?
This devotion involves dedicating thirteen consecutive Tuesdays to Saint Anthony, with a prayer, a visit to church, or Communion, to ask for a favor or to give thanks. The number thirteen recalls June 13, the day he died in 1231 and the day we celebrate his feast.
Why on Tuesdays?
Tradition says that Saint Anthony was buried on a Tuesday and that the first miracles began that same day beside his tomb in Padua. Since then, Tuesday has been his day of the week, and in many Spanish parishes, Mass is celebrated in his honor every Tuesday.
How to do the 13 Tuesdays
- Choose your intention: what you want to ask for or give thanks for.
- Every Tuesday, pray the prayer we suggest below, an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and a Glory Be.
- If you can, go to Mass or visit a church that has an image of Saint Anthony.
- Perform an act of charity, such as the traditional “Saint Anthony’s bread”: give something to someone in need.
- If you miss a Tuesday, the custom is to start over, but what matters is faith, not the count.
You can start at any time of the year. Many people start in early March to finish around his feast day on June 13.
A prayer for each Tuesday
We suggest these short prayers, one for each Tuesday:
1. Glorious Saint Anthony, today I begin these thirteen Tuesdays with you: receive my request and present it to the Lord. Amen.
2. Saint Anthony, who left everything to follow Christ: help me put God at the center of my life. Amen.
3. Saint Anthony, great preacher: give me good words for those around me. Amen.
4. Saint Anthony, who finds lost things: help me find what I am looking for and, above all, not to lose my faith. Amen.
5. Saint Anthony, friend of the poor: make me generous to those who have less. Amen.
6. Saint Anthony, who held the Child Jesus in your arms: teach me to treat him with love and trust. Amen.
7. Saint Anthony, protector of families: watch over mine and those I love most. Amen.
8. Saint Anthony, patron of engaged couples: bless those who are looking for someone to share their life with and those who are already in love. Amen.
9. Saint Anthony, comforter of the sick: accompany those who suffer and those who care for them. Amen.
10. Saint Anthony, who traveled from Lisbon to Italy: protect those who are far from home. Amen.
11. Saint Anthony, saint of patience: give me peace when things do not go the way I want. Amen.
12. Saint Anthony, model of humility: help me accept God’s will. Amen.
13. Glorious Saint Anthony, thank you for accompanying me these thirteen Tuesdays. I leave my request in God’s hands and trust in your intercession. Amen.
If you want more prayers (to find lost things, to find a partner, or the “If You Seek Miracles” responsory), you can find them in Prayers to Saint Anthony of Padua.
Carry Saint Anthony with You
His medal is the best companion for the thirteen Tuesdays: a daily reminder of your request and that you are not alone. In our family, he is a very beloved saint, and that is why his medals are among those we cherish most. If you are unsure which style to choose, see how to choose your Saint Anthony medal.
Carry Saint Anthony with You
The most beautiful medals in the world are at Khartes.
Marian and Bárbara
The most beautiful medals are at www.khartesmadrid.com. Follow us on Instagram: @khartesmadrid.