Everything is asked from Saint Anthony, and there are very few requests made of him that do not meet with a hearty and generous response. The joy of the petitioner is frequently manifested in cheerful accents like this which was sent from Paris: "Unbounded confidence in my good Saint Anthony of Padua, who knows not how to refuse anything. I love this great saint with all my heart, and I shall be eternally grateful to him for all the favors he has given me."
One thing which is often asked of him is the restoration of health. On the 29th of August, 1894, the following letter was received from Calvados:
"Mademoiselle: Saint Anthony has heard our petitions! The good health we have asked for has been granted, and without the delicate operation which was greatly feared. In gratitude and in fulfillment of a promise, we herewith send you thirty francs for bread for the poor of Saint Anthony. We shall send the same amount from time to time, hereafter."
A titled lady of Baroul, near Lille, sent the following on May 18th, 1891:
"I was told of the prodigies wrought by Saint Anthony of Padua, and now I cannot sufficiently admire the goodness of this powerful wonder-worker. On the 10th inst. I learned that my little niece was attacked by meningitis, and regarded by her physicians as a helpless and hopeless case. At once we began a novena to Saint Anthony, with the promise of sending you ten francs for your poor people. Today I am informed she is out of danger. Praise and thanks, therefore, to the good Saint Anthony whom no one invokes in vain."
On the 31st of August the pastor of Mount Bernenchon wrote:
"I have the honor of sending you the sum of ninety-eight francs that you may be able to purchase bread for your old people and orphans. This is the votive offering of a parishioner for health obtained through the intercession of Saint Anthony of Padua."
September 12th, 1894.
"Mademoiselle: I am happy to send you herewith the sum of twenty-five francs from the Superioress of our Third Order. She promised this amount if she should preserve her eyesight, which she feared was permanently impaired. Having experienced much assistance, she is most anxious to obtain a complete cure and is satisfied that her eyes will be as perfect as they formerly were."
October 31st, 1894.
"Mademoiselle: I send you enclosed two bank-notes, amounting to one hundred francs, for bread for the poor. The good Saint Anthony has obtained for me complete restoration to health. I wish to pay him my just debt."
Paris, November 17th, 1894.
"Mademoiselle: I thank you for the good prayers you have offered to Saint Anthony for the cure of my daughter's eyes. We have been heard; and this good saint has aided us in a manner truly providential. I have promised him a pound of bread every week until my child attains her majority, thus wishing to thank him during many years."
We could not hope to give all the testimonies received in gratitude for favors obtained. Even if we gave extracts, these would make a large volume. We are in receipt of like letters daily. Suffice it to say, that the good Saint Anthony has been invoked in every circumstance both spiritual and temporal, and in every instance the favors have been granted and oftentimes more has been obtained than was expected or asked for.
But in conclusion we wish to say a word as to the manner of conducting this work of Saint Anthony's bread.
In many churches and chapels there is a statue of the saint; at his feet there is a box destined to receive the requests. To ask a favor from Saint Anthony, with the promise of bread for his poor, this is the ordinary way:
The request is written, accompanied by a promise, and it is then placed in the box at the feet of the statue. Any formula may be employed. When the request is granted, the promised uttering is placed in the box.
- taken from Saint Anthony, The Saint of the Whole World by Father Thomas F Ward