Cabo Verde’s celebration of St Anthony.

English Africa Service.

According to a report filed into Vatican News by Cabo Verde’s Rádio Nova, celebrations of Saint Anthony are prevalent not only in Mindelo, on the northern part of Cabo Verde, but throughout the island republic.

Cabo Verde’s Island of Sal

Many parishes have already been holding events as they prepare for the great feast of the saint on 13 June. According to the parish priest, Father Adriano Baptista, on the island of Sal, the image of Saint Anthony is being taken around parishes and communities for display during periods of prayer and veneration. Father Baptista says on the actual day of the saint, couples celebrating their wedding jubilees will be recognised and honoured.

The image most often associated with St. Anthony is of a young friar holding the Baby Jesus and a lily. The lily stands for the purity of Saint Anthony and his struggle against the devil. The Baby Jesus image is in recollection of his vision at Camposampiero.

A most popular saint of the Church

Though revered as one of the great Italian saints, St. Anthony was actually born in Lisbon, Portugal. To this day, St. Anthony of Padua is one of the Catholic Church’s most revered and popular saints.

The saint of miracles

St. Anthony of Padua is known as the patron saint of animals, the elderly, expectant mothers, infertility, lost articles and persons, the poor, sailors, those starving and travellers. He is also the go-to saint for a happy marriage, marriages in difficulty and single women seeking a partner.

Above all, Saint Anthony is known as the patron saint of lost causes.