Prayer Intentions to Saint Anthony - June 20th 2024
I write to you from Padua, still with the emotion of having had the privilege of being your emissary to Saint Anthony.
I made the offering on the morning of June 20th, very early, because it is stiflingly hot here in Padua. I am so happy to come again this year as a pilgrim within the octave of the feast of our great Saint Anthony, in your name, to present your supplications. This time I was accompanied by my good Italian friend, Federico Catani, who come from Rome, by train, to give me a hand.
As on previous occasions, after the 7:30 a.m. Mass, celebrated at the main altar of the basilica, we went to the chapel of blessings with your prayers and expressions of gratitude. There, the Franciscan friar who imparts the “blessing of Saint Anthony”, an exclusive privilege of the basilica of Padua, blessed them and prayed with us. He also wanted to stop and read some of the intentions. He then exclaimed: “How can Saint Anthony not respond to prayers made with so much faith!”
Afterwards, we went to the tomb to pray the responsory of Saint Anthony in your name and to place your supplications next to the countless votive offerings that surround it.
We remained in prayer before the tomb of Saint Anthony for a long time. Throughout the day, we returned several times to greet Saint Anthony and thank him again and again for all his protection and help.
Finally, as a finishing touch to this novena, we have commissioned a Mass in the Saint's own basilica, for all of you. I hope that one day you can come in person and see with your own eyes the faith and devotion of the many devotees who pay tribute and gratitude to him every day by visiting and kissing his tomb.
May Saint Anthony bless and protect you always.
Affectionately in Jesus and Mary,
Felipe Barandiaran
