“NO MAN HAS EVER SPOKEN LIKE THIS” (SAINT ANTHONY) 4
As we said before he had a remarkable insight in interpreting the Holy Scriptures. Following his Ordination Speech his superior right away informed the Minister General of the Franciscans, who in turn appointed him to start preaching to the people, anywhere he deemed fit. We know that St.Francis chose him as the first theologian of the Order.
He started his Ordination Address by appealing to his brothers to live a life of simplicity, as is expected of all friars. But as his intelligence was enlightened by divine grace and as his memory served him as a huge library, his words and ideas were so lucid, so clear even that he managed to delve deep into the mysteries found in the Holy Scripture, and be understood by all.
Anthony’s eloquence was so abundant and convincing that one and all
realized the truth found in the words of Bin Sirak, 6:5, ‘The tongue
that speaks well and wise is always respected by many.’ All his hearers
were amazed and dazed with such wisdom, and they all exclaimed: ‘No one
has ever spoken like this man’ (John, 7:46).
Anthony sought knowledge not for his personal gain or intellectual enrichment, for this reason, quoting Proverbs 16:1, ‘The Lord guided his tongue’. For this reason the Minister General obliged Friar Anthony to go out, and entrusted him with the Ministry of the Word. As Anthony was happy performing his chores in the kitchen, God entrusted him with greater things, (Exod. 15:11)
When Anthony was the superior of the Community at Limoges, France, an extraordinary thing happened. It was Maundy Thursday, close to midnight, in the church of St. Peter called Quadruvio, Anthony was participating in the services in that church. After Matins Friar Anthony was addressing the congregation about the Passion of the Lord.
At that same time in another church other friars were singing praises to the Lord in a similar celebration, and Anthony was expected to sing one of the Lessons in that other church.
Anthony had forgotten completely about his other duty in the other church which was quite far from where he was. When the time came for the Lesson to be sung there appeared Friar Anthony who sang the Lesson. The Friars were all dumb-stricken knowing that Anthony was actually in the church of St.Peter.
Whilst he was singing the Lesson, Friar Anthony was in St.Peter church on the ambone with his head bowed down as if meditating. God had granted Anthony the gift of bilocution; being in two places at the same time. The Friar who used to wash pots and pans in the kitchen was elevated to a ‘Divine Office’ by the Lord. Anthony used to walk with his head bowed looking at the ground, but meditating on the words of his Master: ‘Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart. (Matt., 11:19) /5
Anthony sought knowledge not for his personal gain or intellectual enrichment, for this reason, quoting Proverbs 16:1, ‘The Lord guided his tongue’. For this reason the Minister General obliged Friar Anthony to go out, and entrusted him with the Ministry of the Word. As Anthony was happy performing his chores in the kitchen, God entrusted him with greater things, (Exod. 15:11)
When Anthony was the superior of the Community at Limoges, France, an extraordinary thing happened. It was Maundy Thursday, close to midnight, in the church of St. Peter called Quadruvio, Anthony was participating in the services in that church. After Matins Friar Anthony was addressing the congregation about the Passion of the Lord.
At that same time in another church other friars were singing praises to the Lord in a similar celebration, and Anthony was expected to sing one of the Lessons in that other church.
Anthony had forgotten completely about his other duty in the other church which was quite far from where he was. When the time came for the Lesson to be sung there appeared Friar Anthony who sang the Lesson. The Friars were all dumb-stricken knowing that Anthony was actually in the church of St.Peter.
Whilst he was singing the Lesson, Friar Anthony was in St.Peter church on the ambone with his head bowed down as if meditating. God had granted Anthony the gift of bilocution; being in two places at the same time. The Friar who used to wash pots and pans in the kitchen was elevated to a ‘Divine Office’ by the Lord. Anthony used to walk with his head bowed looking at the ground, but meditating on the words of his Master: ‘Learn from Me, for I am meek and humble of heart. (Matt., 11:19) /5
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