© Aris Dervis 2003

St. Anthony of Padua

Feast day June 13

St. Anthony is perhaps the most invoked of all saints and his reputation for finding lost objects is well deserved. My favorite story is that of my friend Susie, who lost a cherished earring on a Delaware beach. After praying to St. Anthony she found it the next day washed to shore!
The St. Anthony featured here is from Peru. His image has been painstakingly painted on a bean can. (The other side of the can shows St. Cecilia, patron of music.) The mix of practicality with art is particularly appealing. I found this can in Be Seated at 66 Greenwich Avenue in Manhattan, a store that always has interesting religious folk art. St. Anthony is shown here with his emblem, the lily.

St. Anthony is available as an 8x10 framed print, T-shirt, candle and greeting card.