Meditate with Fr. Mario

Francis of Bernardone in 1202 joined the military expedition of Assisi against Perugia to defend his hometown and its people. His army was defeated, and he was thrown in a dungeon for 1 year. He eventually recovered from this experience both physically and psychologically, but he was a changed man.

Holocaust Memorial Day takes place on the 27th of January each year. On this day we should learn the lessons of the past and recognize that a genocide does not just take place on its own, but is a steady and degenerative process which begins whendiscrimination, racism and hatred are not checked and prevented.

On September 11, 2001, the terrorist attacks launched against the United States and the free world was unprecedented in terms of savagery and brutality. Every year on this date, we commemorate the lives of those who died so tragically: people who were simply working in the World Trade Centre, or who perished in the attempt to save them.

The Feast of Saint Anthony, the Saint the world loves, has finally arrived!

During the months of April and May the Relics of Saint Anthony travelled to the Philippines where they brought joy and hope to thousands of people.
In accompanying the relics during this pilgrimage I had the great joy and privilege of meeting Cardinal Louis Antonio Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, who gave us the testimony of his deep devotion to Saint Anthony in this video message.

On Sunday, May 15th we will be celebrating Pentecost, the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles. 

As we gather together this Christmas to celebrate the coming into this world of the ‘beautiful light’ in the form of Jesus Christ our Saviour, I extend to you the heartfelt wishes and love of the friars of Saint Anthony.

May God bless you for your kind heart and giving nature.

The Holy Father inaugurated yesterday's general audience with a meditation on the Father's Mercy as an introduction the Paschal Triduum. From today till Saturday his words will guide us toward Easter Sunday.

In this video, Fr. Mario Conte, editor of the «Messenger of Saint Anthony» magazine, sends his warmest wishes to all of St. Anthony's devotees from a very special location: the high altar of the Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padua.

The Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua, Italy, is an International Shrine and it belongs to that restricted list of shrines, cathedrals and churches where the faithful may access the gift of a plenary indulgence during the Jubilee Year of Mercy.

The friars of the Basilica recommend an itinerary of six steps in order to help pilgrims in their penitential journey.

Friar Mario Conte meditates on the meaning of the World Day of Prayer for the Sick with all of Saint Anthony’s devotees around the world.