“St. Antony’s Bread”

 

 

Today we celebrate the feast of St. Anthony of Padua. He is a beloved saint and favourite miracle worker for those of us who have lost items. Many participated in special novena with gifting of bread at his feet. I hope that these nine days of praying with St. Anthony of Padua were inspiring and special.

I was intrigued today while reflecting on ‘bread’ that is so much associated with popular devotion to St. Antony. For the last nine days collections are being made for buying bread to be given to the people. Others bring bread on 13^th June itself to be offered to St. Antony and through him to the needy. While few others bring bread to be blessed by St. Antony and be taken home to be consumed. There is certain superstition around this bread-ritual associated with the Saint.

What is the Significance of St. Antony’s Bread? St. Antony’s Bread, a tradition rooted in devotion and compassion, and which holds a special place in the hearts of believers needs to be explored in its origins, symbolism, and enduring impact.

Looking back to its origins and tradition, “St. Antony’s Bread” traces back to an incident in 1888 in Toulon, France. Louise Bouffier, a baker, found herself unable to unlock her bakery door. Desperate, she prayed to St. Anthony of Padua for help, promising to give bread to the poor if her door opened. Miraculously, the door yielded, and Louise fulfilled her promise by distributing bread to those in need. Inspired by this event, Louise’s friends adopted the practice, and it soon became formalized as “St. Anthony’s Bread.” On St. Anthony’s feast day (June 13), people bless loaves of bread and share them with others.

Therefore, the fact is, alms given to the poor for seeking St. Antony’s intercessions was known as “St. Antony’s Bread”.  It has a symbolic meaning. Bread symbolizes sustenance, nourishment, and community. Just as bread sustains our bodies, acts of charity sustain our souls. St. Antony’s Bread represents the interconnectedness of faith, compassion, and service. By sharing bread, we emulate St. Anthony’s love for the poor and hungry. It reminds us that Christ is present in the needy—the “least of these.” When we aid them, we serve Christ Himself.

The homemade bread in Europe especially in Italy is a common part of daily staple food besides Pasta and Spaghetti.  As for Indians ‘Onno’ means daily food, so too Bread is their daily ‘bread’ in the sense as we often say, “Give us our daily ‘bread’” in the prayer – Our Father. St. Antony was the son of a rich Knight in King’s palace in Portugal. But he renounced everything and lived poor for the sake of the poor. Where ever he went preaching, he helped the poor and fed the hungry. Like St. Francis of Assisi, he too donated whatever he could collect, to the poor. He is the patron of the poor and the needy. Superstitiously, this practice of feeding the poor and the hungry by St. Antony has turned into collecting of bread to be distributed to the poor. Bread is not the staple food of poor Indians. They need rice, dal and Sabjees. St. Antony would have certainly given the staple ‘food’ that the hungry in India eat, and certainly not bread!

I was moved when I came across this quote by St. Anthony: Today Christ stands at the door and knocks in the person of his poor. It is to him that we open when we give aid, when we give ourselves to those in need. For he tells us plainly, ‘Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.  It was a long time ago that St. Anthony said this, but it is still true today. Christ is still standing at the door, knocking. We only need to watch or read the news to understand how much our world needs these powerful words. It must be continuously inspiring daily and weekly so that resources provided by us, respond to our world's needs.

St. Antony’s legacy has to continue.  Abandoning one’s will  and follow the Gospel of Christ was the guiding principle of Saint Anthony of Padua's life. Like the call of Prophets, God summoned him to a constant renewed purposes in His mission. With calls within a call, Anthony answered with enthusiasm and selflessness to serve Jesus in the poor and the oppressed which I wouldn’t dare take up. St. Antony, like St. Francis of Assisi, dedicated his life to helping the poor. His intercession is sought for lost items, healing, and assistance. While the original tradition involved bread, its spirit extends beyond literal loaves. It encompasses any act of kindness, generosity, or selflessness. St. Antony’s Bread encourages us to open our hearts and doors to those in need. Christ still stands at our doors, knocking through the poor and marginalized.

What can we do today?  In our troubled world, St. Antony’s message remains relevant. Poverty, hunger, and suffering persist. We must respond by sharing our resources, time, and love. St. Antony’s Bread inspires us to be Christ’s hands and hearts. Let us continuously seek ways to serve, remembering that every act of kindness echoes St. Antony’s legacy. In short, St. Antony’s Bread transcends superstition; it embodies compassion, faith, and solidarity. "As we break our daily bread together in families and at the Eucharist, may we also break down barriers and build a world where no one goes hungry or unnoticed."