IMPRIMATUR ^MICHAEL AUGUSTINE Archbishop of New York, New York, September /, 1897. Copyright, 1897, by Commissariat of thk Holy I^and. ^ — — I Contents. PAGE Introduction 5 PART I. How to pray to St. Antony 8 The Pious Union of St. Antony. . . . .12 Consecration of Children to St. Antony . . .17 The Paduan Masses 16 St. Antony's Militia 17 The Little Chaplet 21 St. Antony's Bread 22 Tuesday, the Day of St. Antony 24 The Miraculous Responsory of St. Antony . .27 The Chaplet of St. Antony 28 The Scapular of St. Antony 29 PART II. (PRAYERS.) The Miraculous Responsory (with Notes) . . 3or'^ The Miraculous Responsory of St. Antony . .31 Act of Consecration to St. Antony 33 Litany of St. Antony 34 Prayer to his Blessed Tongue 38 St. Antony's Favorite Hymn 39 Anthem to St. Antony 40 Blessing of St Antony 40 Prayer to the Infant Jesus 41 ^ ^If, Prayer lor the Restoration of Things Lost . . 42 Prayer to obtain Holy Purity 43 Prayer for a Choice of Life 44 Prayer referring to St. Antony's Dread . . . .45 Prayer in Need and Affliction 46 Prayer for a Happy Death 46 Prayer for the Deceased 47 The Crusader's Prayer 47 PART in. Novena to St. Antony 48 1st Day — Promptitude of St. Antony in Cor- responding to the Divine Grace . . . , 49 2nd Day — Love of St. Antony for Suffering . 50 3rd Day — The Humility of St. Antony . . .52 4th Day — The Patience of St. Antony ... 54 5th Day — Love of St. Antony for God ... 55 6th Day — The Poverty of St. Antony . . . .57 7th Day — St. Antony's Hatred of Sin . . . .58 8th Day— The Chastity of St. Antony ... 60 9th Day — The Happy Death of St. Antony . 61 ; The Crusade 63 1[ntrot)uction 10 Catholic can ignore the wonderful wave of devotion '•^ which a few years ago began to sweep over the Catholic world. Moved by the spirit of God all eyes turned as if by inspiration to St. Antony, all roads led to his shrine. And even our Holy Father gave expression to this public sentiment when he said to a great admirer of St. Antony: ''My son, it is not enough to love St. An- if. tony, but you must make him loved, for St. Antony is the saint not of Padua only, but of the whole world." These words of our holy Pontiff, winged as they seem to have been with prophecy, are daily receiving increased confirmation. Throughout the Church St. Antony's name ap- pears to be assuming the character of a watchword; it has a charm that fascinates all pious souls. The Saint I in Italy, the good father in France, homely Antony in Germany, the lieu- tenant-colonel in the Portuguese and I Brazilian armies, a bread-winner for I the poor, the consoler of the afflicted, I St. Antony is the cosmopolitan per- sonality who has won the cult of the day. The Lord has given to him, so to say, a second, though invisible, exist- ence, sending him again to the world with the message of the seraphic gospel ^ — ii> [ which is to regenerate all peoples. It is the message of love to and confi- dence in God, simplicity in manners, purity of heart, charity to the poor and apostolic zeal towards our neigh- i bor. pereonal Hppearance of St. Bntoni^. Our Saint is thus described by a contem- porary writer : "Antony was, like a genu- ine Portuguese, of very dark complexion. He was of medium height, and of delicate i appearance. His features were 30uthful, j almost boyish, yet they bore the trace of a quiet earnestness. The forehead was broad; ! hit piercing intellect was revealed in his I looks ; his nose was rather long, and his lips ! ruby. His whole outward appearance bore the mark of gentleness and benevolence, and all, even those who were unacquainted with him, felt themselves in the presence of a saint the moment they came in contact with him." poxc to pxa^ to St. Bntoni^. I. The manifold miracles springing up everywhere as though by charm at the invocation of St. Antony must fill the hearts of his clients with confi- dence. Next to the Blessed Virgin, our Saint seems to have an unlimited influence with God, not only for the recovery of lost objects, but in all cases which are submitted to him. The uni- versality of this prerogative has been recognized by the Sovereign Pontiff hinivSelf. He is therefore invoked in every need and affliction, but especi- ally: I. For the restoration of lost things ; 2. For the recovery of health ; 3. For the happy issue of an undertak- ing ; 4. To obtain employment ; 5. To obtain or preserve purity of heart ; 6. In the choice of a vocation. 2. The essential requisite, there- fore, in imploring the aid of St. An- tony, is a lively faith and an un- bounded confidence in his powerful intercession. But this confidence must not assume the character of superstition — it must be tempered by the spirit of Christian resignation. It is certainly lawful to submit to St. Antony all our wishes, both spiritual and temporal ; but it must be done with a childlike resignation to the decrees of divine Providence. Though St. Antony's intercession be great and powerful, God will not grant our requests unless they be conducive to the welfare of our souls. Afflictions and adversities will never entirely be banished from this vale of tears. God often wishes us to carry a certain cross, and wall not take it from us, for reasons best known to Him. But if our prayers are not heard in one par- ticular instance, they are not lost, for we may rest assured that God w^ll give us other and more precious graces, instead of those for which we have asked. We must not, therefore, lose courage, if we are not heard at once. Knock repeatedly at the gates of heaven, as you would at the house of a friend. Perseverance wall insure success in the majority of cases. 3. When imploring a grace through St. Antony we must be careful that our hearts be free from mortal sin. There- — 10 ^ fore Novenas should always begin with a good confession, and fervent holy Communion, that our prayers may rise from a pure heart like sweet in- cense before the throne of God. A great many overlook this important item. They come to St. Antony as enemies of God, their hands full of in- justice, their hearts full of impurity. How is it possible for him to plead their cause ? 4. If we wish to be heard in an important affair, we must pray to St. Antony with instance ; visit one of his shrines or statues every day dur- ing the novena ; receive the Sacra- ments ; practise some mortification, and if possible, have a Holy Mass said in his honor, or give an alms for his cherished poor. 5. Join the Pious Union of St. Antony and thus become his perma- nent client. ; I 1 1 ^be IP10U6 Ulnion of St. Bnton^. This Pious Association in honor of St. An- tony was canonically erected in St. Antony's i Church, Rome, February 13, 1894. By a decree of August 31, 1897, the National Cen- tre for the United States was established at the Commissariat of the Holy Land, Mount St. Sepulchre, Washington, D. C. OBJECT. 1. To thank God for the miraculous power granted to St. Antony. 2. To implore his powerful intercession. — 3. To propagate his devotion. — 4. To assist the poor. ^ . 44 12 OBI^IGATIONS. I. Say daily, three times, Glory be to the 1 Father, etc. — 2. Recite daily the Miraculous Responsory to St. Antony, or, if you do not know it by heart, once the Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory. — 3. Give an alms for the poor whenever you have obtained a favor through St. Antony. — 4. Receive the Sacra- ments on the feast of St. Antony (June 13), or within the Octave. ADVANTAGES. I. A plenary Indulgence on the day of admission, or the Sunday following. — 2. On the feast of St. Antony (June 13). — 3. On the feast of the Translation of his Relics (February 15). — 4. On thirteen succeeding Tuesdays, any time in the year, when re- ceiving on those days the Sacraments and praying for the intention of the Holy Father. — 5. At the hour of death. — 6. Seven years and quadragenes on every day of the Novena preceding the feast of St. Antony. — 7. One hundred days indulgence when say- ing the three GL">rys. — 8. One hundred days when praying for the object of the Union. — 9. Participation in a Holy Mass said every i — _ Tuesday in Rome and at the Commissariat J of the Holy Land. — lo. A share in all the good works performed by the members of the three Orders of St. Francis. THB THR^H BBGRBBS OF THB PIOUS UNION. First Degree: The members conscien- tiously perform the prayers and other obli- gations of the Pious Union. (See page 13.) Second Degree: i. The members prac- tise the obligations of the first degree. — 2. They promote the interests of the Pious Union by spreading the devotion to St. An- tony and enrolling members in the Pious Union. — 3. They venerate St. Antony espe- cially on every Tuesday, and if possible, visit one of his shrines or statues on that day. Third Degree : The members practise the good works enjoined by the two fore- going degrees. — 2. They make the thirteen Tuesdays, at least once a year, for their own spiritual and temporal needs and for all intentions recommended to St. Antony.— 3. They give a monthly or yearly offering toward St. Antony's Bread. li. 14 * ^ MASSIFS AND PRAir:ERS | of the Pious Union are offered and requested: I. For the clients of St. Antony. — 2. For the recovery of things lost or stolen, — 3. For those who are unemployed that they may obtain work. — 4. For the sick and dis- tressed. — 5. For all intentions recommended to St. Antony. — 6. For the souls in Purga- tory dear to St. Antony. 1. No charges are connected with admis- sion to the Pious Union, but members are re- quested to contribute five cents for certifi- cate, registration and postage, 2. The livery of a member of the Pious Union consists of a scapular and cord of St. Antony, which can be obtained at St. An- tony's Department. (See page 64.) 3. Persons wishing to enter the Pious Union should state the degree in which they wish to be enrolled. 4. Deceased persons cannot be enrolled in the Pious Union, but offerings can be made in their behalf. 5. Children can be consecrated to St. Antony. (See page 17.) iji >h 15 6. Boys and young men form a special , branch of the Pious Union under the name | of St. Antony's MiHtia. (See page i8.) \ 7. The rules of the Pious Union are not binding under pain of sin. Members, how- ever, who do not recite the prayers, have no part in the spiritual advantages of the Union. 8. Offerings received for St. Antony's Bread will be used toward the education of poor students. Address all communications to : St. Antony's Department, Mount St. Sepulchre, Washington, D. C. Zbc paDuan /Bbaseeet St. Antony was very devoted to the souls in Purgatory. He frequently offered the Holy Sacrifice for the deceased inhabitants of Padua, the city he loved so dearly. Hence it became customary to have Masses said for his beloved clients in Purgatory, whom he wishes io free from the pains of fire. Any assistance tendered to his helpless friends will dispose his tender soul to mercy and prompt him to intercede strongly in behalf of those who thus benefit his deceased clients, by their prayers and the offering of the Holy Sacrifice. ^ 16 Consecration of CbilDrcn to St. Bntoni^. St. Antony, who was favored by the ap- parition of the Infant Jesus, had a great love for children. At the instance of their i mothers he saved them from sickness and death, and shortly after his canonization, he restored five of them to life. We, therefore, exhort all Christian mothers to look to this protector of their darlings and to place them into his arms, where the divine Infant rested. To this effect the mothers will send us a written request giving their address, full name of their child and also the day on v^. — i 17 * : * I which they desire to have it consecrated to j 1 St. Antony. The little one will then be | I placed under the protection of the Saint and i receive a certificate of its consecration. J The children shall wear the cord of St. j Antony and the mothers will recite for them I the prayers of the Pious Union, giving an , alms to the poor in their behalf. I Children of both sexes can be consecrated i to St. Antony. Teachers and nurses are re- j quested to promote this devotion. I Address : St. Antony's Department. I I St. Bnton^'a AiUtia. St. Antony with the lily in his hand and ! j the Infant Jesus on his arm has always been ! a model of purity for young souls and he has ! shown his predilection in their behalf in various cases, freeing them from temptations '] against the holy virtue. Therefore, a special : branch of the Pious Union has been estab- lished for boys and young men under his patronage. It is called Militia, that is warfare, because with the aid and under the protection of St. ^ ^ i8 Antony, its members are called to become apostles of Christ among their companions to fight the demon of impurity and to form among themselves a league of prayer. The chief features of the Militia are: Sim- plicity of mind, purity of heart, the spirit of the apostolate and a fervent devotion to the Blessed Virgin. The Militants gain the same indulgences as members of the Pious Union. (Seep. 13.) Prayers — The Militants shall recite daily the following prayers: i. The Miraculous Responsory to St, Antony, ox one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory instead, if they do not know it by heart. — 2. Three times the Glory, in honor of the most Holy Trinity. — 3. They may add the Little Chap let of the Im??iaculate Conception of the Blessed Vir- gin, (See p. 21. ) Rules. — The Militants are advised to ob- serve the following rules: i. Go to Confes- sion and receive Holy Communion monthly. — 2. Make it a point to go to Confession as soon as possible, whenever you have the misfortune to commit a mortal sin. — 3. Make a daily examination of conscience, especially with regard to the holy virtue. — 4. Every 19 day make an act of mortification, no matter how small, in order to gain strength to resist all temptations and to atone for your past sins. — 5. When assailed by a temptation, re- cite the Blessing of St. Antony. (See p. 40. ) | — 6. Whenever you hear any improper Ian- | guage atone for it by saying devoutly Glory, — 7. Cultivate the spirit of simplicity by avoiding all pride, boasting and quarreling, and by practising kindness to others — in imitation of St, Antony. — 8. Work for the conversion of other boys and young men. — 9. If possible pay a short visit to the Blessed Sacrament every day. — 10. Daily practise an act of kindness in honor of the Blessed Virgin. — 11. In honor of St. Antony give an alms according to your means for the poor students, whenever you obtain a grace through his intercession. — 12. Once a year make a retreat, according to the advice of your spiritual director. We exhort all boys and young men who love the holy virtue to join the Militia and spread it among their companions. 20 Zbc Xittle Cbaplet of tbe ITmmaculate Conceptiom It consists of three sets of one large and four small beads each, in honor of the twelve glories of the Blessed Virgin, and i:, recited as follows : In the name of the Father, etc. Firsl set: Blessed be the Holy and Im- maculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary! One ''Our Father," four '' Hail Marys and Glory." Second set : Blessed, etc. " Our Father," four Hail Marys " and Glory. " Third set : Blessed, etc. ** Our Father," four Hail Marys and '* Glory." (Tnree hundred days indulgence every time — a plenary indulgence once a months) OrJ)er of IReception into St» Bntotti2'6 I. Veni Creator. 2. Short Exhortation. 3. Act of Consecration* 4. Singing of the Responsory and of the three Glorys. 5. Recitation of the lyittle Chaplet. 6. Litany of St. Antony. 7. Blessing of St. Antony. 21 St. 2lntoni^'0 JISreaD^ ^HE recent growth in devotion to St. Antony has become so marked as to call forth expressions of astonish- ment throughout the Catholic world. It has taken the form of a new charity known as St. Antony's Bread.'' All any person, w^ho desires to par- ticipate in this charit}^, has to do is to write his or her request on a piece of paper, adding a promise that if, by the expiration of a given time, St. Antony * * 22 ^ ^ should secure its fulfilment, a certain sum of money will be donated to buy bread for the poor. Among the latter may justly be numbered the poor stu- dents, who, like St. Antony, aspire to the priesthood. Those who contribute towards their support in this manner perform at once an act of charity as well as an act of devotion. Such per- sons should write their requests on a slip of paper and send the same to S^. Antony' s Departme7it^ Mount St. Sepul- chre, Washington, D, C. These written requests will be deposited at the Statue 1 of St. Antony, to whom special pray- f ers are said weekly for the benefactors | of the students and their intentions. \ It will be well to accompany such re- [ quests with a Novena of nine days or nine Tuesdays to the Saint. • — * — 23 I ^ueeDa^ tbe 2)a^ ot St. Bntonis* St. Antony died on Friday, June 13, 1231 ; but in order to satisfy the devotion of the people who flocked in great numbers to behold for the last time the heavenly beauty of his coun- tenance, his funeral was deferred until the following Tuesday, June 17. The miracles which St. Antony wrought on this day of blessed memory were so numerous and remarkable that the love and gratitude of the faithful con- 24 * ^« secrated this day to St. Antony, and I the belief became popular that any petition asked through his interces- sion on that day would be granted. St. Antony himself manifested how pleasing this devotion is to him. In the year 1617 he appeared to a pious lady of Bologna who had besought his intercession in a very important mat- ter, and said to her : ' ' Visit my picture in the Church of St. Francis for nine consecutive Tuesdays and your prayer shall be heard. ' ' The lady followed his directions and obtained the desired favor. This devotion in a short time be- came general throughout Italy and ' other countries. But the faith of the people extended the nine Tuesdays to thirteen, in memory of his death, w^hich occurred on the 13th day of June. The Church sanctioned this pious practice by granting the following graces : ^ _ 4* * — ^ ^ — 41 I A plenary indulgence on every Tuesday of the year to all those who receive the sacraments and on that day ; visit a Franciscan church where the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, praying for the intention of the Holy Father, 2. A plenary indulgence once a i year on thirteen consecutive Tuesdays i to all the members of the Pious Union of vSt. Antony, who, on those Tuesdays, receive the Sacraments, and, being I truly penitent, visit some church or ■ public oratory, and there pray for ihe intention of the Holy Father. 3. A plenary indulgence to all the faithful who visit a Franciscan church ; on one of the nine Tuesda^^s immedi- I ately preceding the feast of the Saint (June 13). 4. An indulgence of 7 years and 7 quarantines on any Tuesday of the year when visiting a Franciscan church. Zhc Atraculoue IRcaponeor^ of St, Bntonis. One of the most efficacious prayers to St. Antony is the Responsory. It was composed by St. Bonaventure who, filled with admiration for the great Saint, condensed in a few words the countless graces which St. Antony grants to his pious clients. This pious hymn has been chanted from time immemorial at the tomb of the Saint in Padua, and is frequently 27 ^ — ■ ^. recited by the Fathers at the express desire of some pious pilgrim for a par- ticular intention. It is well to recite it in every ne- cessity, and especially in order to re- cover some object lost or stolen. The Church has granted an indul- gence of ICO days for each recitation of the Responsory, and a plenary in- dulgence once a month. XLbc Cbaplet of St, Bntoni^, It is a pious practice to honor St. Antony by the recitation of this chap- let in honor of the thirteen miracles contained in the Responsory. This chaplet consists of thirteenOur I^a^/ierSy Hail Marys and Glorias and the Re- sponsory, 39 beads arranged in 13 groups of 3 beads each. On the first bead of every group say the Our Father, ^_ — ^ 58 on the second the Hail Mary and on the third the Glory be to the Father, At the end the miraculous Responsory is recited on the medal. The Chaplet needs no special bless- ing and can be recited on the fingers. It has been enriched with the following indulgences : loo days once a day for the 13 Our Fathers, etc., and 100 days each time for the Responsory. tCbe Scapular of St. Bnton^. This livery of St. Antony is made of I gray wool and bears the image of the Saint with the Infant Jesus in his arms. Sur- rounding the picture is the blessing of St. Antony. The reverse of the scapular shows a representation of the reliquary containing the Sacred Tongue with the words which St. Bonaventure addressed to it on the oc- casion of the translation of the relics of the wonder-worker. ^ 29 THE MIRACULOUS RESPONSORY. - 1 ^ - P n 1 f mir - a - cles thou fam would'st see: Lo! er - ror, N-H K — ^ K K — ^ death, ca-lam - i - ty, The leprous stain, the de-mon ^ _ . . N 1 flies. From beds of pain the sick a - rise. i CHORUS. > D P I v\> \> The hun-gry seas fore-go their prey, The pris - o- ^ N J ^ N 'S3. ^ u y T ' ' : : ^ " ner*s cruel chains give way ; While palsied limbs and treasures 1 ^ ' lost Both young and old re - cov - ered boast. Zbc Airaculoue 'Keaponaoris of St. Bntoni2 of paDua. If miracles thou fain would' st see : Lo ! error, death, calamity, The leprous stain, the demon flies, From beds of pain the sick arise. The hungry seas forego their prey, The prisoner's cruel chains give way : While palsied limbs and treasures lost Both young and old recovered boast. ^ ^ 31 >ii And perils perish, plenty's hoard Is heaped on hunger's famished board : Let those relate, who know it well, Let Padua of her Patron tell. The hungry seas, etc. To Father, Son, may glory be, And Holy Ghost, eternally. The hungry seas, etc. Pray for us, St. Antony. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Xct Tile IPrai2* O God ! Let the votive commemo- ration of Blessed Antony, Thy Con- fessor, be a source of joy to Thy Church, that she may always be for- tified with spiritual assistance, and may deserve to possess eternal joy. j Through Christ our Lord. Amen. I 100 days iiididgaice every time. ^ _ 32 ^ ^ Bn Bet of Consecration to St Bntoni^. 0 glorious St. Antony, servant and friend of God, I salute thee through the most loving Heart of our Divine Savior Jesus Christ, whom thou didst bear in thy pure arms under the form of a child. I choose thee to-day as my patron, advocate and father, I place all my cares and temptations in thy hands. I earnestly resolve never to for- sake thee. I Great Saint, lily of celestial purity, j and vanquisher of concupiscence, ob- i I tain for me and all thy other clients \ perfect purity of body and soul. | 1 also, in imitation of thy zeal, j promise to lead others to the knowl- edge, the love and the vService of God through my own example and counsel. ^ ^ 33 Xitani^ ot St. antoni?. < ORD, have mercy on us. " Christ, have mercy on us. Lord, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. God, the Father of heaven, have mercy on us. God the Son, Redeemer of the world, have mercy on us. God the Holy Ghost, have mercy on us. Holy Trinity, one God, have mercy on us. Holy Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us. St. Antony of Padua, pray for us. * ^ St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, St. Antony, thee. Be merciful Be merciful glory of Friars Minor, lily of virginity, gem of poverty, example of obedience, mirror of abstinence, vessel of purity, star of sanctity, model of conduct, beauty of paradise, . ark of the testament, keeper of the Scriptures, teacher of the truth, preacher of grace, exterminator of vices, planter of virtues, conqueror of heretics, terror of infidels, consoler of the afSicted, searcher of consciences, martyr in desire, terror of the devils, horror of hell, performer of miracles, finder of lost things, helper of all who invoke , spare us, O Lord ! hear us, O Lord ! 35 From all evil, From all sin, From the snares of the devil, From pestilence, famine and war, From eternal death, Through the merits of St. Antony, Through his ardent charity, Through his zealous preaching, Through his desire of martyrdom. Through his strict observance of obe- dience, poverty and chastity. On the day of judgment. We sinners, beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou vouchsafe to lead us to true penitence, That Thou vouchsafe to inflame us with divine love. That Thou vouchsafe to let us ever enjoy the protection of St. Antony, That Thou vouchsafe to give us, by the merits of St. Antony, the gift of true contrition, humility and con- templation, That Thou vouchsafe us the grace, through the intercession of St. An- tony, to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, 36 That Thou vouchsafe the assistance of St. Antony to all who invoke him in their necessities, we beseech Thee, hear us. That Thou vouchsafe graciously to hear us. Son of God, we beseech Thee, hear us. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, spare us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, hear us, O Lord. Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. Christ, hear us. Christ, graciously hear us. V. Pray for us, O blessed Antony. R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. Let us pray. Almighty and eternal God, Who didst glorify Thy faithful confessor Antony with '\ the perpetual gift of working miracles, gra- ciously grant that what we confidently seek through his merits we may surely receive through his intercession. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen. '■ * 37 * — « j praiser to tbe mceecb tongue of j St* antonij. I O blessed Tongue ! that always j blessed the Lord, and made others I bless and praise Him ; it is now mani- fest what great merits thou dost possess in the sight of God. I Pray for us, St. Antony, I That we may be made worthy of I the promises of Christ. I i Let 7CS pray, i O Almighty God, who alone dost j perform miracles, grant, we beseech 1 thee, that, as thou didst preserve the ] tongue of thy holy Confessor, St. Antony, incorrupt after death, we, through his intercession and after his example, may be worthy of praising and blessing Thee forever. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. St. Bntoni2'0 jparorttc "fci^mn to tbc O Glorious Virgin, ever blest, All daughters of mankind above, Who gavest nurture from thy breast To God with pure maternal love : What we have lost through sinful Eve, The blossom sprung from Thee re- stores, And granting bliss to souls that grieve, ' Unbars the everlasting doors. O gate tliioug^ which has passed the King ! O hall whence light shone through the gloom ! The ransomed nations praise and sijig The Offspring of the virgin womb ! Praise from mankind and heaven's host. To Jesus of a virgin sprung; To Father and to Holy Ghost, Be equal glory, ever sung. Amen. * ^ 39 antbem to St. 'Bntom. O Hispania's progeny, Fear of all the faithless host, Light newborn of Italy, Buried treasure, matchless boast Of the Paduan city : Antony, with patron power, Jesus' grace for us obtain, Lest the briefly granted hour To the fallen, flow in vain, Time of heavenly pity. JSleasin^ of St. Bntoni^. Behold the cross f of the Lord ! Fly, ye evil powers ! f The lion of the tribe of Juda t the root of David has con- quered ! Alleluia ! Alleluia I 40 prater to tbc IFnfant 5e6U6 in tbc Brm9 of St. Bntoni^. O sweet Infant Jesus, Thou best and only hope of afHicted souls, I prostrate myself at Thy feet and beseech Thee, through Thy immeasurable love and grace, whereby Thou didst visit Thy blessed servant St. Antony, and com- fort and embrace him, to come to me at his intercession and let me taste how sweet Thy presence is to the souls that trust in Thee. •ir ^ 41 * prai^cr to St. Sntoni^ for tbe "Resto* ration of Zbirxge Xoat or Stolen. O blessed St. Antony ! The grace of God has made thee a powerful advo- cate in all necessities, and the patron for the restoration of things lost or stolen : to thee I turn to-da}^ with childlike love and heartfelt confi- dence. Oh, how many thousands hast thou miraculously aided in the recov- ery of lost goods ! Thou w^ast the counselor of the erring, the comforter of the afflicted, the healer of the sick, the raiser of the dead, the deliverer of the captive, the refuge of the afflicted : to thee do I hasten, O Blessed St. An- tony ! Help me in my present afflic- tion. I recommend what I have lost to thy care, in the secure hope that thou wilt restore it to me if it be to the greater glory of God and to the spirit- ual benefit of my soul, that I may praise and thank thee, in time and * 42 eternit}', for thy glorious intercession in my behalf. Amen. prai^er to Obtain tbe (3race ot Ibol^ Ipurits. O purest St. Antony, who through thy angelic virtue hast been made worthy to be caressed by Jesus, to hold Him in thy arms and press Him to thy heart, I entreat thee to cast a benevolent glance upon me, a poor sinner. By the mere touch of thy garment thou hast communicated that most precious of all gifts, holy purity. Oh, deliver me by thy powerful inter- cession from all thoughts and actions against the holy virtue, that I may become a pleasing object in the eyes of Jesus and His Immaculate Mother. Pray for me that my heart and soul may remain pure and undefiled until death, and that I may rather die than oflfend God by mortal sin. Amen. [4 ^ 43 prai^er tor tbe Ibapps Cboicc of a State in %\tc. O Blessed St. Antony, thou wast especially enlightened by God to know the station in life wherein thou didst attain such a high degree of holiness; graciously obtain for me, I beseech thee, the grace from God that I may know and be able to embrace in spite of all obstacles the station in life to which I am called and in which I may the more easily attain eternal salvation. Amen. prater to St. Bntonis* Composed b}- Cardinal Parocchi for those who practise the charity of St. Antony's Bread. QLORIOUS Wonder-worker, Father of the Poor, who in a miraculous manner didst disclose a miser's heart buried in his gold, because thou hast received a heart devoted to the 44 * — ■ — »it. I consolation of the needy, and who, j when offering our prayers to the Lord, I obtainest their gracious hearing, accept : as a token of gratitude the alms which i we place before thee in aid of the poor. [ Grant that they may prove to the ad- vantage of the suffering and to our own benefit. In thy wonted benevo- lence assist us both in our temporal necessities, but especially in our spirit- i ual wants, now and at the hour of our , , death. Amen. 100 days'* Indulgence oiice a day, \ ■ j prai^cr in 1Rce^ anD Btniction. i j O dear St. Antony, father of the ' poor and afflicted, a poor sinner, I seek 1 thy help and counsel and fly to thy care I and protection. Have mercy on me, I St. Antony, Oh, have mercy on me, I for the hand of the Lord has touched * 45 me, and divine justice has visited me for my sins. O loving patron, behold ! my miserable condition and the bitter anguish of my heart. Intercede for me with my loving Savior that this bitter chalice may pass from me. Yet not my will, but His, be done in thy poor servant. Amen. prai^er for a fjappis Deatb^ O glorious St. Antony, invincible conqueror of death, who didst restore so many to life, protect me from a sudden and unprovided death and my soul from mortal sin, in order that I may always love God and remain in his holy grace. Amen. prai^er for tbc DeceaeeD. Have compassion, dear St. Antony, 46 upon the faithful departed, particu- larly upon the souls of my deceased parents, relatives, friends, and bene- factors who are detained in the flames of Purgatory. Pray for them that they may be speedily admitted to the blissful vision of God. Amen. Cbe CruaaDer'a ©raiser. (To be said at morning, noon and night.) • Divine Eternal Father ! I offer Thee the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, in reparation for my sins ; for the wants of Holy Church ; for the wants of the Hoi y Land ; for the conversion of the poor sinners and for the release of the suffering souls in Purgatory.^ 47 HAovcm to St* Hntoni? QRANT, O Lord, that the grace of the Holy Spirit ma}^ enlighten our souls and inflame our hearts that while prostrate at the feet of Thy infinite Majesty we may worthily med- itate on the virtues of Thy servant St. Antony. *- * 48 — — ■ ^ jflret 2)ai2» Consideration. — Promptitude of St. Anto7iy in cor7'esponding to divine grace. Let us consider how the saint called by God to the order of the Augustinian Canons hastened to renounce the hon- ors to which his illustrious birth en- titled him and the riches which by right belonged to him. He promptly obeyed the divine will and offered to God the first-fruits of his soul, so well cultivated by his mother and at a very early age received the religious habit. Let us consider the great debt which we contracted with God by Baptism. And let us resolve to fulfil the prom- ises which we made at that moment through our god-parents. Let us de- spise the vanity of the things of the world and respond without hesitation to the call of divine grace. 49 ^ — PRAYER. O God, grant us, through the merits of St. Antony, the grace to despise the goods of this world, to follow Thee in the way of humiliations and to de- tach our hearts from everything which could prevent obeying Thy holy inspi- rations to the end that we may attach ourselves to Thee who art the sole source of truth and eternal felicity. Say the Respoyisory once and the Pater, Ave, Gloria, 13 times. Practice— IsIaV^ three acts of faith daily until next Tuesday in union with St. Antony that your heart may not be closed to the call of divine grace. Note— The exercises are the same for each day of the Novena, except the consideration and the particular prayer which is adapted to it. SeconD 5)a^» Consideration. — Loze of St. Ant07iy for Suffering —l^^i us con- * ^ sider how the saint at the sight of the glorious relics of the five Franciscans martyred in Morocco, and impelled by a desire to shed his blood for Jesus Christ and to at- tain a greater degree of perfection, entered the Franciscan Order and left for Africa to seek a martyr's crown but how, prevented by sickness, he could not attain the object of his desire. He sought to make up by fast- ing and thus became a martyr of penance. Let us consider that if we are not called to suffer martyrdom for the faith we ought at least to restrain our passions and sensuality by placing far from us everything which might cause us to offend God. PRAYER. O Jesus my Savior, how great a dis- tance are we removed from thy faith- * 4i 51 I fui servant. He in his love for Thee i yearned to shed his blood for Th}^ j glory. And we do not knov^^ how even j to sacrifice our sinful desires and } mortify our irregular appetites. Grant 1 us, O Lord, by the intercession of St. Antony the grace to realize our deplor- I able state, to abandon the paths of sin and to become true Christians and penitents upon earth, so that we may be of the number of the elect for all eternity. ' Practice — Practice daily until next Tuesday- three acts of ino7'tificatio7i by depriving your- self of some little pleasure or luxury in union with St. Antony to obtain the grace of sub- duing our passion. Consideration. — The humility of St. Antony, — Let us consider how St. Antony, although endowed w4th pro- found learning and deeply versed in 52 * ~. the most sublime sciences, always sought to hide his erudition and other accomplishments so as to escape the praise of men, and loved to pass for an ignorant and imperfect man. We ought as far as possible to hide the qualities of our soul from the eyes of earthly creatures, and if we are obliged to make them known let us try at least not to yield to vanity. PRAYER. O amiable Jesus, when can we merit to be the object of Thy pleasure, we who allow ourselves to be dominated by the spirit of ambition and vanity ; who seek to be applauded for the least good we do, without reflecting that whatever we possess is ours only by Thy liberality. By the love of St. Antony drive from our hearts every germ of vanity so that we may realize 53 our own nothingness, and thus merit thy mercy. Practice — Meditate for five minutes daily until next Tuesday, in union with St. Antony, upon your many sins and your helplessness, to obtain the grace of humility. JFourtb 2)ai^. Consideration. — The patience of St. Antony. — Let us consider how our Saint, maltreated by the heretics in many parts of Italy, loaded with in- juries b}^ his enemies, nevertheless preserved in the midst of these out- rages an invincible patience, and, fol- lowing the example of the Savior, prayed God without ceasing to convert the first, and to pardon the second. Let us resolve, in imitation of St. Antony, to support with patience such injuries as may befall us in the future, and to pray for those who do us harm. PRAYER. O gentle Jesus, who by word and example hast taught us the virtue of patience and of pardoning injuries, take pity on us who are unable to sup- port even the least offence, and suffer us not to be dominated by a desire for revenge. By the love of St. Antony, grant us the grace to receive every hu- miliation in expiation of our offences, so that having thus satisfied Thy jus- tice and pardoned our brothers, we also may merit the pardon of our sins. Practice — Say the Our Father three times daily, until next Tuesday, for all those who have injured you in the past. fiftb Dais* Consideration. — Love of St, Antony for God. — Let us consider the Saint so full of love for his Creator, and with- out a single thought which might 55 direct him from God. His heart was so detached from the things of the world, that he could not find pleasure in any- thing which did not come from God, or w^hich did not belong to Him. Let us desire, in imitation of St. Antony, to love God above all things, so that all our thoughts may be con- stantly directed towards heaven. PRAYER. O gentle Savior, Thou alone art worthy of all the aiTections of our hearts ; and yet, alas ! we serve Thee with only a divided love, in order to love creatures. It was for Thee that we were created. Grant then, O Lord, that after the example of our Saint we may burn with love for Thee; that our only happiness here below may be to serve Thee and live for Thee who alone art worthy to possess our hearts. Practice — Say three Our Fathers and Hail I Marys daily until next Tuesday, in honor of the Sacred Heart in union with St. Antony, to obtain the grace of a more perfect love of God. Sutb 2)ai2» Consideration. — The poverty of St. Antony, — Let us consider how our Saint, impelled by love of evangelical poverty, abandoned his rich inheri- tance, despised earthly goods, refused with a holy indignation the magnificent presents which Ezzelino sent him, by driving from his presence the messen- gers of that tyrant, saying : Go tell your master that I shall not share with him the spoils of the poor. ' ' In view of this disinterestedness, let us take the firm resolution to detach ourselves from riches, which are the source of so many evils, and if we pos- sess them, let us resolve that our hearts will not be attached to them ; that * ^ 57 if we are poor, we may not desire to become rich, because at the hour of death we w^ill have to leave all things behind. PRAYER. O amiable Jesus, source of all real good, who became man and vouchsafed to embrace poverty to teach us to de- spise the things of the world, grant us, by the love of St. Antony, the grace to be his imitators in detachment from everything which can estrange us from Thee, and to despise earthly riches, in order to merit the possession of the riches of heaven for all eternity. Practice — Practice an act of kindness towards the poor daily until next Tuesday, or give an alms for their relief in honor of the poverty of St. Antony, to obtain the spirit of detachment. Seventb 2)a^* Consideration. — 5 / . Antony' s hatred of sin. — Our Saint desired so 58 ardently to preserve his innocence that he was able to remain free from mortal sin. He was moreover inde- fatigable in his sermons in exhorting sinners to abandon the occasions of vice. Let us resolve for the future to have an implacable hatred of mortal sin, never to commit it and to aid our neighbor to avoid it by our good example and our charitable conduct. PRAYER. O my beloved Jesus, who triumphed over sin by dying on the cross, grant us, by Thy love of our Saint which en- abled him to triumph over the evil one and to deliver the souls of so many who were his victims, the grace that he may aid us also to vanquish the enemies of our soul. Grant that we may take a firm resolution to detest sin and to destroy it within us, so that Thy precious blood may not be shed in vain, 59 but may deliver us from the slavery of Satan. Practice — Make three acts of contrition daily until next Tuesday in order to obtain the grace of exemption from mortal sin. iBlgbtb jE)a^. i Consideration. — The chastity of St, | Antony, — Let us consider the vigilance j which our Saint kept over his senseaj and how he permitted nothing to | tarnish the purity of his soul or to wound that supreme virtue which ele- vates man and renders him, so to speak, equal to the angels. Let us resolve to keep a strict surveil- lance over our senses, which are the ! cause of the greatest part of our faults, j Let us take the resolution to guard with I a holy jealousy, according to our state, I the precious treasure of purity. ^ PRAYER. I O merciful Jesus, we confess at Thy feet that the too great liberty we have allowed our senses has rendered us . guilty of many faults. Have pity on ; us, O Lord, and grant us, through the merits of St. Antony, the grace to be more watchful in the future, and never ' to yield to the temptations of the devil. Practice — Say three Hail Marys every ''\ morning and evening until next Tuesday, to obtain the grace of preserving holy purity. fltntb Das. ! Consideration. — The happy death of St, Antony. — Consider the Saint, ar- ' rived at the end of his earthly career, ■ full of merit and adorned with the most heroic virtues. Assisted by the Im- maculate Virgin, he rendered his soul ; to God, and went to receive from Him the eternal reward of his labors. We should remember that if we wish to | 1^ - 6i