Saint Anthony of Padua — Bone Relic in Silver Reliquary
Saint Anthony of Padua — Bone Relic in Silver Reliquary
Saint Anthony of Padua — Bone Relic in Silver Reliquary with Original Ecclesiastical Authentica, 1897
A beautiful nineteenth-century reliquary containing a substantial bone relic of Saint Anthony of Padua (1195–1231), Franciscan Priest, Confessor, and Doctor of the Church, accompanied by its original ecclesiastical Authentica, issued in Mechelen, Belgium, on 9 May 1897.
The sacred relic is displayed upon a richly textured golden fabric background, surrounded by delicate ornamental paper decorations. The original handwritten identification reads *S. Antonii Pad.* — Saint Anthony of Padua.
The circular silver-coloured metal theca measures 4 cm in diameter and 1.3 cm in thickness. Its protective glass preserves the beautifully arranged interior, while the reverse retains an original red ecclesiastical wax seal bearing cardinalatial heraldry.
The accompanying Authentica was issued under the authority of the Cardinal-Archbishop of Mechelen, Primate of Belgium, and Cardinal-Priest of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme in Rome. The document bears its original embossed ecclesiastical seal and includes Saint Anthony of Padua among the saints whose relics were officially recognized.
Saint Anthony of Padua, born Fernando Martins de Bulhões in Lisbon, Portugal, in 1195, became one of the most beloved saints of the Franciscan Order. Renowned for his extraordinary knowledge of Sacred Scripture, powerful preaching, profound humility, and devotion to the poor, he dedicated his life to proclaiming the Gospel.
He entered the Franciscan Order after being inspired by the martyrdom of the first Franciscan missionaries in Morocco. His remarkable preaching attracted immense crowds throughout Italy and southern France, earning him recognition as one of the greatest preachers of his age.
Saint Anthony died in Padua in 1231 and was canonized by Pope Gregory IX in 1232, less than a year after his death. In 1946, Pope Pius XII proclaimed him a Doctor of the Church, honoring his exceptional theological wisdom and spiritual teachings.
Venerated throughout the Catholic world, Saint Anthony is especially invoked as the patron saint of lost articles, the poor, and those seeking spiritual guidance. His feast day is celebrated on 13 June.
Reliquary dimensions: 4 cm diameter × 1.3 cm thickness.
Relic: Bone fragment of Saint Anthony of Padua.
Authentica: Mechelen, Belgium, 9 May 1897.
Condition: Original nineteenth-century metal theca with protective glass, decorative interior, handwritten identification, and original ecclesiastical wax seal.
A distinguished devotional relic of one of the Catholic Church's most beloved saints, preserved in its historic reliquary and accompanied by original nineteenth-century ecclesiastical documentation.