Our Works and Days

Fr. Livio Tonello, director

A new year begins, in the company, as always, of our “great saint Anthony”. This is the expression often used by a friend of the Association to remember the greatness of friar Anthony, who became famous for his speeches and miracles. Perhaps someone will wonder if miracles still happen.

Whether there is still the possibility of having special graces, divine favours that go beyond the knowledge and hopes that technology and medicine offer us. I can testify that God’s providential action exists and is manifested through the intercession of the saints. I see this daily in the experiences of the members of the Association who write and telephone me to share their sufferings and joys.

Miracles are not only physical: there are spiritual miracles, relational miracles, linked to motivations and values. Not always you will obtain what you ask for. It is certain that the invocations, the requests addressed to Saint Anthony, the tears shed for a grace are not lost. God always accepts all the questions brought to him by the intercession of our holy friends.

Something is given back to us in the form of courage, trust, solidarity, internal and material support... so that we can continue along the path and not feel abandoned. The graces of God are given in a mysterious way to the human mind, but they are always effective.

The pages of this calendar are a representation of the miracles that, according to tradition, Saint Anthony performed in his life. We wanted a visual reference to his person and his works for each month. They are artistic (sometimes popular) tokens of a gratitude that extends over the centuries.

So this year, with the frescoes that adorn the Convent of St. Anthony in Tito (Potenza) - which are inspired by the life of the Thaumaturge written by the priest and historian Emanuele de Azevedo in the eighteenth century - we have a roundup of significant episodes. We know these miracles, but it is good to remember them. Because what they remember is not far in time but still relevant today.

The members of the Association tell us of graces of healing from the disease, of a job found, of an important exam passed. Even just finding lost things is attributed to the Saint, as well as fulfilling the desire to get married. There are, however, many spiritual graces, resumptions of broken paths of faith and life.

I would like to point out the experience of those who, despite the pain that knocked on the door of their lives, have found the strength to get up again or even to give birth to something important. I am thinking of the two sisters who had to leave their homes after the collapse of the Morandi Bridge in Genoa and who have not lost hope.

I am thinking of a mother from Belgium who saw her daughter die of cancer and who in her name (Niagara) gave birth to an association to help others in the same situation. Or another mother who, in the name of her son who died in a car accident, created a charity that helps and supports African mothers.

Our days can be filled with works, as the earthly days of saint Anthony was filled with charity, relief, closeness. In the days ahead, our works of good can shine and make them brighter. In the days ahead, we can continue to make the miraculous power of Saint Anthony flourish again… and he, through us, will continue to bring forth works of the Gospel.