An Efficacious Prayer
O holy St. Anthony, gentlest and kindest of all the saints, your burning love for God, your exalted virtue and your great charity towards your fellow creatures made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited at your word, and that word you were ever ready to speak at the request of those in trouble. The anxious prayer of bitter trial was never addressed to you in vain. To the sick you gave back health, you restored what was lost, the sorrow-stricken were objects of your tender compassion; even the dead you raised to life when the wounded heart cried out to you from the depths of its anguish. When on earth were you not the saint who had the tenderest compassion on those in distress and sorrow? Encouraged by this thought and convinced of the efficacy of your intercession, I kneel before your image to obtain from you (here mention your request). O gentle and loving St. Anthony whose heart was full of human sympathy, whisper my prayer to the ears of the Infant Jesus, who loved to linger in your arms. One word from you, and my prayer will be granted. O speak that word, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen
A Student’s Prayer
O glorious St. Anthony, divinely
endowed with the learning of the saints, I desire to place my studies under thy
protection. Guided by thy example, I
wish to draw all my knowledge from the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. With thy assistance, I will study in a spirit
of penance and with a pure intention.
May the Father of Light grant me, through thy intercession, a clear
intellect, sound judgment and retentive memory.
Help me to study perseveringly in order that I may develop the gifts
with which God has endowed me, and use them according to His divine will. O dear St. Anthony, aid me to succeed in my
studies and examinations, if it be for the greater glory of God and the benefit
of my soul. Amen.
For Recovery of
Lost Objects
O blessed St. Anthony, the grace of
God has made thee a powerful advocate in all necessities and the patron for the
restoration of things lost or stolen; to thee I turn today with childlike love
and heartfelt confidence. Oh, how many
thousands hast thou miraculously aided in the recovery of lost goods! Thou hast been the counselor of the erring,
the healer of the sick, the raiser of the dead, the deliverer of the captive,
the comforter of the afflicted; to thee do I hasten , O blessed St.
Anthony! Help me in my present affliction. I recommend what I have lost to thy care, in
the secure hope that thou wilt restore it to me, if it be to the greater glory
of God and to the benefit of my soul.
Obtain also for me an active faith, peace of mind, disgust for the vain
pleasures of the world, and an ardent desire for the imperishable goods of
eternity. Amen
For Healing from
Sickness
St. Anthony, physician of soul and
body, consolation of the sick who ask thy prayers, turn thy compassionate eyes
upon me, thy foster child, who afflicted with painful infirmities, sends up
sighs and prayers for relief from these sufferings and for comfort for all in
sickness.
O great friend of God, through thy
rich merits and thy powerful mediation with Him, the sick are not only made
sound and whole, but many are saved from death.
Therefore, I earnestly beg thee to have mercy upon me and bear my sighs
and petitions to the throne of God, that He may free me from my infirmities.
O compassionate Jesus, Man of
sorrows, who didst deign to endure our weakness and sufferings, hear me, and
have mercy on my weakness. Heal my soul,
for I have sinned before Thee; heal my body also, that, restored to health
through the merits of St. Anthony, I may give thanks to Thee. Amen.
For Sick Relatives
and Friends
O glorious St. Anthony, perfect
model of patience and meekness, who has joyfully taken upon thyself so many
unmerited contempt and troubles, obtain for me, from the Divine Heart of Jesus
the grace henceforward to embrace with love the Cross of Christ, and patiently
to bear all adversities of life. Pray
also for these sick persons … (mention
the names)… that they may by thy powerful intercession be cured of their
illness. Amen.
