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Sacred Reply Prayer Library
Prayer to St Anthony
A simple Catholic prayer asking St Anthony of Padua for intercession when something is lost and when we need help finding what truly matters.
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A Prayer to St Anthony
Saint Anthony, faithful servant of Christ and preacher of the Gospel, pray for me. You are loved by many who turn to your intercession when something has been lost. Help me in what I am seeking, if it is for my good, but help me also to recover what matters more: faith when I lose trust, hope when I become discouraged, peace when I become anxious, and love when I become selfish. Lead me always toward Jesus. Saint Anthony, pray for us. Amen.
Explore what this prayer meansIn brief
Catholics commonly ask St Anthony of Padua for intercession when something is lost, but his significance is much greater than finding missing objects. He was a Franciscan preacher and Doctor of the Church whose ministry pointed people toward Christ.
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What is this prayer?
This is a Sacred Reply prayer asking St Anthony's intercession both for something that has been lost and for deeper spiritual goods such as faith, hope and peace.
Quick facts
- Text
- Sacred Reply original prayer
- Saint
- St Anthony of Padua
- Feast
- 13 June
- Religious order
- Franciscan
- Popular patronage
- Lost items
Why Catholics pray it
Why it matters
Catholics believe the saints can intercede for the Church. Popular devotion has connected St Anthony particularly with lost things, while his life as a preacher and teacher gives the devotion a much richer Christian context.
When to pray
When Catholics use it
It may be prayed when something important has been lost, during uncertainty or whenever someone wishes to ask St Anthony for intercession.
Meaning
What the words mean
The prayer deliberately moves from finding an object toward finding what is spiritually more important. St Anthony's intercession is asked for, but Christ remains the destination.
History
Where this prayer comes from
This particular text was written by Sacred Reply. Devotion to St Anthony grew rapidly after his death in 1231. The popular custom of asking his help with lost objects became one of the best-known Catholic devotions associated with him.
Scripture
Biblical connections
Luke 15:8–10
Jesus uses the image of searching carefully for something lost to reveal the joy of recovery and restoration.
Matthew 6:33
Jesus teaches His disciples to seek God's kingdom first, a useful reminder that spiritual goods matter more than possessions.
Catholic teaching
Catechism connections
CCC 956
The Catechism teaches that the saints continue to intercede for those on earth.
CCC 2683
The Catechism describes the saints as witnesses who share in the living tradition of prayer.
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Common questions
Why is St Anthony the saint of lost things?
Catholic popular devotion has long associated St Anthony with recovering lost or stolen things, traditionally linked to stories from his life and the growth of devotion after his death.
What do Catholics say when they lose something?
Many simply ask St Anthony to pray for them. There are several traditional prayers and popular rhymes, but no single formula is required.
Is this an official St Anthony prayer?
No. This particular text was written by Sacred Reply and is clearly identified as an original Catholic prayer.
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