The patron saint of finding lost objects was not born in Padua, Italy, but in Portugal.
Here are three places dedicated to Saint Anthony of Padua you should know before World Youth Day Lisbon 2023!
In the city hosting World Youth Day 2023, you must visit the Church built in Saint Anthony's birthplace, the Cathedral where he was baptized, and the Monastery where he became a friar!
1. The Church of Saint Anthony
Located in the heart of the historic center, the Igreja de Santo António de Lisboa (Church of Saint Anthony) is an unmissable stop for those who want to venerate the saint. It was built in the place where he was born and raised!
The first chapel in the crypt was built at the "Casa di Sant'Antonio" shortly after his canonization in 1232.
The Church was rebuilt many times over the centuries, most recently in 1767 in the Baroque style. St. John Paul II visited in 1982 and inaugurated a statue of the saint, visible on the outside.
2. The Lisbon Cathedral
Saint Anthony was baptized in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santa Maria Maior de Lisboa, located just one block from the previous one. Built in 1147, it is the oldest Catholic Church in the city.
The baptismal font, locally believed to be the original, is located to the left of the main entrance. Each year on the June 13 feast of Saint Anthony, Catholics participate in a procession through the streets of the Alfama district.
3. The Monastery of São Vicente de Fora (Monastery of St. Vincent Outside the Walls)
St. Anthony, before choosing the Franciscans, entered the Augustinian Order in 1210 at the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora. Rebuilt in the late 16th century, it is an outstanding example of High Renaissance art and architecture. Its roof offers a breathtaking view of the rest of the city. It is also believed that the Chapel of Saint Anthony was built on the site of the cell where the saint studied for his novitiate.
