June 13 is the feast of the miraculous St. Anthony of Padua, patron saint of lost items, the poor, and travelers.
The Catholic Church attributes many miracles to this 13-century saint, one of which proved Jesus' Real Presence in the Eucharist to a heretic.
St. Anthony fought and taught against heresies, including the Cather heresy, which denied Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist. Toulouse, France was the central point of this heresy, and St. Anthony participated in multiple public debates against it.
During one debate, a man named Bononillo challenged St. Anthony’s belief of the Eucharistic presence.
He said, “If you can make my mule bow down before what you call the Body of Christ, I will believe.”
St. Anthony tried to convince him in other ways, but did not see any other option.
Bononillo decided to then starve his mule for three days.
On the third day, St. Anthony celebrated Mass in the city’s public square. After Mass, Bononillo went before St. Anthony, and offered his mule food, while St. Anthony carried a consecrated host.
St. Anthony said, “Mule! Come here and show reverence to your Creator!”
St. Anthony held up the Eucharistic host, and rather than accepting Bononillo’s food, the starved mule bowed down and kneeled before the Eucharist.
Once Bononillo saw this, he also bowed and knelt before the Eucharist. Many other heretics converted that day.
Learn more about this amazing miracle below:
Prayer to St. Anthony
O wonderful St. Anthony, glorious on account of the fame of your miracles, and through the condescension of Jesus in coming in the form of a little child to rest in your arms, obtain for me of His bounty the grace which I ardently desire from the depths of my heart . (State your intention)
You who were so compassionate toward miserable sinners, regard not the unworthiness of those who pray to you, but the glory of God that it may once again be magnified by the granting of the particular request (State your intention) which I now ask for with persevering earnestness. Amen
Pray one Our Father,
one Hail Mary, and
Glory Be to the Father, in honor of Saint Anthony.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
Prayer Source: EWTN