The miracle
During the Renaissance, artists drew inspiration from the remains of Greco-Roman antiquity, and this is why all the characters of the scene are dressed as ancient Romans. One day a knight called Aleardino da Salvaterra arrived in Padua. This knight had always despised Catholics, believing them to be ignorant and gullible. One day, while dining, his tablemates started telling him with great enthusiasm of the many miracles performed by St Anthony. As a reaction, Aleardino emptied his glass and said, “If he whom you consider to be a saint will prevent this glass from breaking when it hits the ground I will believe everything you are telling me about him.” He then threw the glass to the floor with all his strength, and quite unbelievably, the glass did not break. It is even said that the hard tiles on which it fell broke instead of the glass. Faced by this inexplicable phenomenon, Aleardino believed and was converted.
Meditation
I think this miracle summons us to deepen our identity as Catholics. Now the great principle of Catholicism is the Incarnation: God made man: “The word became flesh and dwelt among us.” But the Lord continues to make himself present in space and time through the ministry of the Church. The Lord continues to become flesh through the sacraments in the bread and the wine, in the oil and the salt, in the imposition of hands, in blessings and in the absolution of sins… In the gestures and songs of the liturgy, in the loving care of the pope, of the bishops, and of the Church’s consecrated priests... In the love for the poor. In the words and examples of the Saints…