One common thread among practitioners of Italian folk magic is the widespread practice of requesting the intercession of their patron saints. One of these being St. Anthony of Padua.
Both the neighborhood I was born in in Connecticut and the one I grew up in Quebec had great big block parties every year in and around June 13 to celebrate Sant' Antonio.
When my grandmother was pregnant with my father she had dreamt of St. Anthony of Padua. He was holding the Baby Jesus in his arms just like in the picture or statue most commonly seen. My grandmother said to St. Anthony: "Sant'Antonio, why don't you give me that beautiful child you're holding?" When my father was born, all those that attended agree he looked just like the Baby Jesus of St. Anthony of Padua. He was named Antonio to honor the saint.
On a more mundane level, St.Anthony is very quick and reliable at helping those that believe in him (even slightly) to find lost objects.
Whenever I remember to, I always call on him to find parking downtown. It's almost creepy how it works every time; I live in an urban community of enormous proportion where parking downtown is usually impossible to find. Some people I've spoken to over the years have their own way of asking for St. Anthony's help. Some promise a donation, although it has been my experience he works for free. What we all agree on is that he always comes through with the goods!
More on St. Anthony of Padua...
Posted by Rue at 10:06 AM. Filed under: Divination, Folk Magic & Occult •
