Prayers to St. Anthony

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.