St Anthony azulejos - furnishings and accessories

Description

Set of tiles known as azulejos representing Saint Anthony, carrying the infant Jesus, a cross with a white lily.

Additional information

Santo Antonio de Lisboa known also as Saint Anthony of Padua, was born in Lisbon in 1195. He studied in Lisbon where he was ordained. He became a Franciscan monk in 1220, and head off to Morocco to preach. Because of a sever fever, he set sail back to Portuagal but was blown off course and ended up in Sicily, where he met up with Friars and found his way to Assisi. From then on he lived in Italy.
He is said to have been an eloquent preacher with a loud and clear voice, a winning smile, a wonderful memory, and profound learning. With the zeal of an apostle he undertook to reform the morality of his time by specifically combating the vices of luxury, avarice, and tyranny. He taught theology at Bologna, Toulouse, Montpellier and Padua, and won a great reputation throughout Italy as a preacher. He was the leader of the rigorous party in the Franciscan order against the mitigations introduced by the general Elias. His death took place at the convent of Ara Coeli, near Padua, on 13 June 1231.
Today he is one of the most famous saints and is often called upon by Catholics to help find lost possessions