St Anthony of Padua, Finder of Lost Things (TF 01) Pedestal Sign

Have a “Lost and Found” at your church or school? Here’s a desk- or countertop pedestal sign for you! + St. Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) became the patron saint of lost, misplaced, or stolen things the day his psalter went missing. At the time, he was teaching theology to Franciscan novices. As the story goes, St. Anthony had a psalter, that is, a book of psalms, which had been painstakingly transcribed and annotated. A disgruntled student, upon leaving the Order, made off with the book. St. Anthony prayed. His fellow monks prayed. And, lo and behold! the prodigal monk-to-be returned a few days later bringing with him the precious volume. He had had a vision in which St. Anthony rebuked him for the theft and had had a change of heart. + The image here shows a youth opening a desk drawer and gesturing in surprise as s/he comes across a lost item while St. Anthony, holding the baby Jesus in his left arm, points to the spot with his right hand. + The original devotional print bears the short prayer in French and Spanish: “St. Anthony of Padua, protect me and guide my researches” [“Veillez sur moi et guidez mes recherches”/”Velad por mí y guíad mis investigaciones”]. Our quote “Good Saint Anthony, look around! Something’s lost and must be found!” is the popular jingle equivalent. + Feast: June 13 + Image Credit (TF 01): Antique image of St. Anthony of Padua, from a devotional print (pl. 41), originally published in chromolithography by J. Turgis & Fils, Paris, France, late 19th-early 20th century, from the designer’s private collection of religious ephemera.