It’s my feastday today! Let’s rejoice with all our namesakes.

June 13.  St Anthony of Padua. Giving names to children is a cultural thing. They might be names of relatives or just any name that sounds nice. Sometimes the name has significance related to the time of the birth.  At baptism the Church expects babies to be given a Christian or saint’s name and children can explore who their name saint is. That was what Sibusiso Anthony Moloi did when  he studied the life of St Anthony of Padua. “St. Anthony, please look around; something is lost and must be found.”  He remembered that little prayer from his childhood.  One time St Anthony himself prayed intensely for an important book he needed that was lost and his prayer was answered. The thief returned it. As a child St Anthony felt drawn to the religious life and wanted to be a missionary but his health was not good enough. He became a follower of St Francis and after he was shipwrecked he ended up in Italy as a humble brother until by chance his powerful preaching skill was discovered and it became his life’s work, turning many people from their sins. Many miracles are attributed to his intercession as a very holy man. A fellow monk found him one night in his room miraculously holding the baby Jesus. That image we see of him is because of his deep love for Jesus and can be a real model for all the Anthonys and Antonettes, Tonys and Tonis. We can all grow in our love of  Jesus and  make a donation to the poor, as a thank you when something is found after being lost.  

Reflect, share and act. Scripture: “The harvest is great but the labourers are few. Luke 10:1-9.  Pope Francis, The joy of the Gospel fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew.”  EG 1. JUBILEE. May the witness of believers be for our world a leaven of authentic hope, a harbinger of new heavens and a new earth (cf. 2 Pet 3:13), where men and women will dwell in justice and harmony, in joyful expectation of the fulfilment of the Lord’s promises. Act and pray. For the needs of families and children to experience joy in Jesus’ love.