(excerpt taken from History of St. Anthony Parish, Eunice, LA 1902-1983 by Rev. Donald J. Hebert)

“St. Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1195, near the end of the twelfth century. He derives his name from the Italian city of Padua where he made his last home and where his relics are still venerated. At the age of 15 he joined the Order of St. Augustine, but shortly after ordination to the priesthood, transferred to the Order of Friars Minor to devote himself to spreading the Faith among the African peoples. He devoted himself to prayer and study, acquiring, with the help of an unusually retentive memory, an extraordinary knowledge of the Bible.

In 1221, Anthony joined the Franciscans and went to Morocco with the intention of preaching the Gospel to the Moors. After a severe illness he returned to Europe. The ship in which he sailed was driven out of its course and they finally landed in Messina, Sicily. From Messina, St. Anthony traveled to Assisi to meet the great Saint Francis.

Saint Anthony’s true mission was the pulpit. He indeed had all the qualifications – learning, eloquence, great power of persuasion, a burning zeal for souls and a sonorous voice which carried far. Wherever he went, crowds flocked to hear him; hardened criminals, careless folk, and heretics alike were converted and brought to confession. He had his greatest success, however, in preaching in France and Italy and converting the heretics. He was the first member of this Order to teach theology to his brethren. His sermons were notable for their learning and gentleness. After preaching a course of sermons in the spring of 1231, Saint Anthony died. He was only 36 years old. Whether he did or did not perform wonders in his lifetime, it is the innumerable favors he has obtained for his devotees since his death that have won for him the title of ‘Wonder-Worker.’ (source: Butler’s Lives of the Saints by Rev. Alban Butler: Catholic Press, Inc.; vol. 2 pp. 625-631)”