May St. Anthony help you find the key... - AI Image
Dear friend,
Two or three times a year, I have the grace of traveling around the world carrying the relics of Saint Anthony, so that those who are devoted to his intercession might encounter him more closely. Wherever I go, I meet people whose faith is sincere and deeply touching, often expressed in simple yet meaningful ways.
In these encounters, someone often says to me, “Father, I always pray to Saint Anthony when I lose something.” And then, with a smile, they add a little prayer that is especially popular in the United States: Tony, Tony, look around, something is lost and must be found.
It may sound like a children’s rhyme. Yet behind it lies something deeper. The truth is this: we do not lose only things. We lose peace, direction, hope. At times, we even lose ourselves.
Perhaps this is why Saint Anthony continues to be so loved: not only because he helps us find what is lost, but because, through him, God gently leads us back to what is essential. In the Communion of Saints, he is close to the Father and intercedes for us with love.
But where does this special role of Anthony as the patron saint of lost things come from? There is a story behind it.
As you may know, Saint Anthony was the first teacher of theology in the Franciscan Order, appointed by Saint Francis himself. He taught the young friars using a precious book of Psalms, filled with his notes.
One day, a young friar decided to leave the Order and took the book with him to sell, since books were rare, valuable, and handwritten.
When Anthony realized the book was missing, he searched for it everywhere but could not find it. He turned to the Lord in prayer, asking that it be returned so he could continue teaching his brothers.
On the way to the market, a troubling vision revealed to the young man the wrong he had done. Shaken, he immediately turned back, ran to Anthony, knelt before him, and returned the book in repentance.
Anthony did not reproach him. Instead, he embraced him, forgave him, and welcomed him back into the Order. As Jesus tells us, there is great joy in heaven over one sinner who returns (cf. Luke 15:7).
When people came to know this story, they began to turn to Saint Anthony not only to find lost things, but to rediscover what gave meaning to their lives. Ultimately, this is what he most desires: not simply to help us recover what we have misplaced, but to lead us back to God.
Of course, we can ask for his help even in small things. But is that all we ask? Is it enough to turn to him only for such things – like misplaced glasses or lost keys? Or does our faith go deeper?
Jesus reminds us, “Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you besides” (Matthew 6:33).
So let us turn to Saint Anthony above all for what matters most: when we have lost peace, faith, health, or hope; when relationships are broken; when we no longer know which way to go.
May he help us find ourselves again – and rediscover our relationship with God, the greatest treasure we can ever recover.
As we approach the Feast of Saint Anthony on June 13, I warmly wish you a blessed and joyful celebration. May Saint Anthony walk beside you, helping you rediscover God – the true treasure of your life – and lead you ever closer to Him.
Peace and all good.
Updated on May 29 2026