St. Anthony of Padua

The Feast of St. Anthony of Padua is on June 13th, and it's a pretty big deal for us here in the city that bears his name. It was on St. Anthony's Day in 1691 that the Franciscan fathers arrived at a small Indian settlement near the river, and named the settlement after him. From that tiny beginning, San Antonio is now the seventh largest city in the United States, and as far as I'm concerned, a wonderful place to live.

On the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the founding of the city, I wrote these hymn texts:

Praise to God the mighty Father, who didst call Saint Anthony
from a life of sore temptation to the way of purity.
Humble work and meek obedience marked his holy way of love;
now, his earthly task completed, works his wonders from above.

Praise to Jesus Christ our Savior, who didst give Saint Anthony
grace to preach with zeal and boldness, giving truth new charity.
Men, once lost, who heard the Gospel from the lips of Francis' son
came to know God's grace and favor, and the life which Christ had won.

Praise to God the Holy Spirit, who inspired Saint Anthony
in the way of love and service, calling men to charity,
lifting up the fallen sinner, feeding them with Living Bread,
showing men the way to heaven, there to live with Christ their Head.

Gracious Doctor and Confessor, holy Priest with golden tongue,
joined with all the saints of heaven, praising God the Three in One;
help us in our earthly journey, keep our thoughts on God most high,
that with thee, Christ's saint and servant, we may live and never die.

Tune: Rustington, by Charles H. H. Parry (1848-1918)
Text: Fr. Christopher G. Phillips

And here's another hymn:

Simple saint and faithful priest, at this Eucharistic feast
we recall thy holy face, and with thee our Lord embrace.
Give us true simplicity: pray for us, Saint Anthony.

Word of God thou didst proclaim; unto thee God's Spirit came,
bringing faith when thou didst preach, showing truth when thou didst teach.
May we speak words truthfully: pray for us Saint Anthony.

Error flees before God's Light: through thy life Christ shineth bright,
showing men the way to peace, evil's hold from them release.
Free from evil may we be: pray for us Saint Anthony.

Tune: Bread of Heaven, by William Dalrymple Maclagan (1826-1910)
Text: Fr. Christopher G. Phillips