#malevolent the friar

[trashscrounger]

I can't wait for art about the new episode so I went through and wrote down all the physical descriptors/backgrounds for our new murder mystery castle guys for references 😘🏰

Barnabus:

• wearing comfortable leather clothing, boots

• Lotta wine, lotta rizz

• 'scraggly beard, unkempt and animalistic'

• sharp eyes that are wild and fiery, 'wicked gaze', perched eyebrows give almost angered expression even when he smiles

• 'twice Arthur's size'

• "astronomer and alchemist, one of the most important people of this day and age, witnessed visions 'the crags'"

Friar Horbrooke (Dr Horribilis):

• loose fitting brown robes meld together as if one piece

• calloused hands

• "polymath, philosopher, scientist, theologian, genius, wizard"

• younger, sheepish man

• thin lips, warm inviting face

• eyes 'docile like a lambs'

• walks with his hands held together at waist as if praying

• shoes are elaborately tied 'quite the knots keeping them on'

Gerard:

• red tunic

• "designs, architecture and art are amongst the most progressive this land has seen" architect of devotee cities

• claims to be part of The Order of the Fallen Star

Langward:

• stern cold expression, stoic

• "physician, accomplished surgeon, ability to distinguish diseases and plagues and their contagious power... esoteric visions of worlds beyond ours"

• part of The Order of the Fallen Star

Lord Evrard:

• well manicured jet black beard that ends in a point at his chin

• mustache large and pointed

• dark hair is 'short, almost modern'

• eyes are light blue/grey, dark circles make them look sunken and tired

[crocwearingcryprid]

Friar's voice is so bitchy I love it

[nukuome]

I uh.. I like Barnabas a normal amount

[penderbend]

omg is this about to be clue

[arthur-lesters-left-shoulder]

Oooo friar wants arthur sooo bad

(I have not finished 48 yet😞)

[samglyph]

Oh so last time we got good priest and this time we get evil advisor priest. I understand.

I did already listen to the first part of this when I was on the patreon and all I can remember is thinking outside “oh yay detective time” was “man the ‘shipping Arthur with a group of men’ community is gonna love this one”. You’ve heard of the New York polycule now get ready for medieval England/france polycule. Also someone get this man a doctor

[autoneurotic]

this last ep of malevolent was great however i am fixated on john describing the friar as doe-like and dainty? what do you need arthur’s eyes for? to look at other men ?

[lurkingindoorways]

💛‼️ Malevolent 48 Spoilers ‼️💛

The way I KNEW this was gonna be a murder mystery as soon as they were all in that room. Skipping all that beginning stuff, I want to talk about my current suspicions of our suspects.

Arthur - obviously there’s no way he could be the killer, so eliminating him early

Barnabus - was originally my least likely suspect, but what was up with that ending?? I’m still pretty sure he didn’t do it, but I feel like the end might have been a bit of a red herring

Friar - OBVIOUSLY THE TOP SUSPECT. This man is literally trying to be suspicious at this point. He was sweating (from running back to his room), constantly ready to change who he was blaming, and seems to have a (very internalized) hatred towards people who follow a non-Christian god (i.e. the Order). Also the way he’s described with lamb/sheep-like qualities, makes me think Very wolf in sheep’s clothing. Although idk if Harlan just wants us to think he’s the most suspicious, and it’s Not him, but I still suspect him the most

Frenchman - yeah I don’t think he did it, he was just the one outside the hallway and they thought it was easiest to blame on him

Langwood - well I don’t think he killed himself sooooo NEXT

Everard - we know the least about him, which very much makes him mysterious and therefore suspect by default

Witch- I don’t have any evidence that she didn’t do it, but I definitely don’t think she did it

I feel like there could be a twist ending and it’s like Kayne or something, but it being one of these suspects would be way more narratively gratifying

Anyway, what’s everyone else’s thoughts on this

[clerical3rr0r]

Malevolent 48 Spoilers

I absolutely loved the murder mystery setup and the way John took the lead. 10/10, no notes. Evrard not actually caring to solve it by the end was the perfect way to end off.

Personally, I think the Friar was responsible. I never really considered anyone else. The way he didn’t answer his door and showed up late and sweaty was suspicious. The fact that it wasn’t brought up anywhere else in the episode was even more suspicious. Every time he spoke, it was to deflect blame anywhere but to himself (which, to be fair, most of them were, but still). The ring drama was an excellent deflection, though, and I don’t doubt they all have secrets.

Also, poor Arthur. 1930s private investigator tries to explain detective work to a bunch of 13th century men who deduced a woman was a witch because she *checks notes* doesn’t speak and is blind. He and John have their work cut out for them.

[ceaselesswatchersspecialboy]

My absolute joy in UK Folklore being used in this Malevolent season. I knew immediately those lights were Will O’ the Wisps, or, well, Friar’s Lantern!

(The science behind the real phenomenon of ghost lights is very interesting).

This is my sort of thing! But also, mixing Fae with Arthur ‘fall down holes’ Lester is not a great idea, as seen this episode, and the fact he makes a deal with one? Arthur, buddy. Rule number one just got broken. I swear if he gives a fae his name in the next episode I’m going to scream.

[aro-geo-turtle]

MALEVOLENT PART 48 LETS GOOOO

Oh boy coughing up blood! That’s funnnnn

New characters: Barnabus and Gerard…and the absent Lord Everard. And now Friar Halbrook and Langward.

I’m worried about that “lesser house of god” comment. Alter to the great old ones hidden away somewhere maybe??

This feels like the start of a murder mystery, is this about to turn into a modern mystery?

I vibe with this Barnabus guy, I like him.

Lol cartoon villain beard

Alia Showl—don’t like that comment about her “maintaining decorum,” just what is she capable of?

Has…has Arthur just accidently joined the proto-Order of the Fallen Star??? That’s what this sounds like

Halbrook’s first name is Dorian, oooh he’s a polymath and scientist? That’s rad

Oh no now we find out what kind of person Arthur’s impersonating, what’s it going to be? “Aristocratic, captivating, and clever, your ability to fit into most any situation and do whatever you see is necessary…debate, beguile, manipulate.”—well that’s not too bad. Arthur certainly is clever and the people constantly becoming obsessed with him would probably call him captivating. He’s also very adaptable. The one thing I’m not sure about is the manipulation part, Arthur doesn’t usually think things through enough to really manipulate, lol.

The French guy, Gerard, is an architect. Reminds me of TMA’s version of Robert Smirke. Langward is a doctor, maybe he can help out Arthur! Barnabus is an astronomer and an alchemist??? RAD. And he apparently has…visions?

This is definitely the start of the Order of the Fallen Star

BLACK STONE! Well our quest just got a hell lot easier.

Wait no ok, I was wrong. The Order already exists, Langward is involved with it.

…but we’re not going to see the stone until tomorrow. Somebody’s about to get murdered and/or steal the stone for themselves and this is going to turn into a mystery. 100% certain on this.

Hmm yeah the ring thing is an interesting dilemma. That’s going to come into play later

I love how comfortable John is when giving confident advice and instructions to Arthur about what to do and say

Ahahahha what god do you follow Arthur? which one? One’s certainly been giving you instructions that you’ve been automatically following this entire time! I’m so curious about what John would have wanted him to say. …I’m not so sure saying that you’re an atheist is going to go over very well in this time/place/with this person.

…yeah, about what I expected.

Hah, maybe John can make up for Arthur’s lack of manipulative instincts

This is a murder mystery, this is a murder mystery!!! It’s been too long since Arthur got to be a proper detective, this is going to be funnnnn. Arthur’s picking up my vibes. Love this analysis

Aaaaand there it is! Here we go folks!

The friar was probably in bed at the time of the crime, but Arthur and john can’t confirm it! John you should have let Arthur confirm his location. …though waiting longer before going to the scream for help might cast suspicion on Arthur himself.

Oh yeah the death vision power! Honestly its been so long since that came up that I forgot it was something that they had. But they’ll still have to prove to the group that whatever they see is true

Langward is the victim, that’s interesting. And the friar is deeply suspicious. I look forward to whatever excuse Arthur is going to give for why a prince is also an excellent detective and why he should run this investigation

So Gerard is with the Order as well, and by Everard’s smile, he knew this, but didn’t out it to everyone earlier. Why? Seems almost as if he wanted Gerard to admit it himself. Now there’s two rings in play! Check the corpse for the order ring.

I’m with john, having the ring is way too dangerous. Still, having dallied that long is also dangerous, especially if anybody finds it. Arthur’s best bet might actually be claiming to be an order member himself or coming up with another excuse for having it

Of course there’s no ring, that’s what makes this mystery so interesting! The best way forward for Arthur is to be as honest and open as possible.

Arthur’s trying to piss off Barnabus for some reason, see if he slips up and reveals something in his rage? Arthur definitely can be manipulative sometimes actually, he just doesn’t get much opportunity to show it in this show

Oh that’s despicable Arthur. poor Barnabus. Still, it’ll buy Arthur time to figure out what really happened and they aren’t going to do anything to Barnabus on that much evidence.

Yeahhhhh Arthur! rally everybody, organize them! you’re the expert here, even if they don’t know that

I’m worried about Everard stepping out for a moment, even if he has the excuse of going to get Alia.

“Do you believe you are a decent man?” UH THAT’S OMINOUS.

Ok Everard exposition time I guess. OH is the black stone gone? Is this why he’s acting weird? …ewwww.

WAT. Okay she’s telekinetic I GUESS?

Okay maybe the stone isn’t gone, but that doesn’t explain why he’s acting like this. …it sounds like he gets something about of showing the stone to others and that makes me anxious that he’s planning to sacrifice them to it

DAMN EVERARD JUST DUMP THAT ON EVERYONE. …why is Barnabus smiling?

NOW I HAVE TO WAIT A MONTH TO SOLVE THE MYSTERY! I’M NOT GOOD ENOUGH AT MYSTERIES TO FIGURE IT OUT NOW! Ahhhhhhh noooooooo. I love this episode. Glad to see Arthur doing some detecting again.

[spacedryadkepler]

malevolent part 48 spoilers!

(the thoughts. they are rambling.)

- it’s always when arthur has to navigate social situations that i’m the most stressed by this show

horrible monster chasing them? all good no biggie!

arthur is dead or dying and john is panicking? that’s emotionally damaging but all good otherwise!

social situations where arthur has to pretend to be normal, or worse, pretend to be someone/lie about something so he doesn’t get caught are like, edge of my seat, pit in my stomach stressful

been awhile, i’m glad to see it!

- i loveeee seeing john take the lead, utilizing the people skills and detective skills he’s picked up! he didn’t get to do that a whole lot during S4 cause of the whole memory thing and then the jealousy thing, so it’s a delight

additional delight is seeing arthur roll with it without severe pushback, and trusting john’s observations and instincts!!

- at first i was like, lmao arthur can’t go anywhere without a religious man becoming interested in him

now i think it’s suspicious as fuck that the friar made an effort to be noticeably present with someone else at that point in time

-MURDER MYSTERY HELL YEAHHHH

i’m so so so so happy we get to have arthur and john detective-ing even though they’re in magical medieval france-britain now

- im all in on it being the friar, like

man actively made an alibi for himself (and warned the man he made into his alibi to watch his back. after all, can’t have your alibi testify for you if your alibi dies too)

arrived late, flimsy excuse for his absence

the scooby gang makes note of how barnabus is adamant about the frenchman being the murder, but the friar is arguably more adamant about it imo

the victim is presumed to have had his neck slit from behind, and john notes that there is very little space in front of him

but it sounded like he was at the stairs to the altar(?) area of the chapel

idk a whole lot about religious practices and friars, but i feel like it wouldn’t be a stretch for perhaps, the friar to have been at the altar, speaking with the victim, and then being able to stab him from there.

- i think whatever happens next will be a long night

[g0g0at]

Malevolent part 48 spoilers live blog

Oooooh I’ve heard good things about this episode

Starting off strong with Arthur coughing his lungs up

BLOOD?! TUBERCULOSIS

Spooky hallwayyyyy

John is gonna take the lead this episode it seems

Ooooh more people?

Oh someone is speaking!

Kinda thought they would all have sewn lips

Who’s that?

This is more characters in one space at a time

Moreeeeeeee voicessss

Bro just straight up dying and these guys don’t bat an eye

Oooh ok so they’re all waiting

“Speaking of sick, who are you?”

Gerard? A vin- a what?

A WEEK??

So much for being late

Oooh I’m liking these voices

He sounds like s1 Arthur

Friendly Friar

I am gonna lose track of these characters so quick

Forgotten all their names already

Oh my god Arthur

There’s so much talking this is really different (not in a bad way)

Get a snack Arthur PLEASE

The witch?

Oh wait that guy is French

Spooky lady at the bottom of the stairs…

Slay the princess reference omg

I love this music

Who is this

This is making me think of the green knight

I actually do kinda need this layout refresher it’s hard to keep track

Hmmmm many characters to ask

Lengwood does not like him BHAHAHAH

EWWW

John is in support mode hehe

I do kinda like this character he’s interesting

Are they gonna get picked off one by one

“It’s only death” Arthur like “yes indeed, I died just the other day!”

I’m very curious about this Everard now

Hmmm well John and Arthur are seeking answers

Ah he knows… maybe

Ooh that’s ominous

Oooh someone is coming……….

Everard?

Modern… interesting

Oooh this is so ominous I’m loving this

“No issue navigating” interesting…

Something about the way he says consonants scratches my brain

Seems Arthur fits the Warren role well

Mmm an architect

“Short while” BEHHAHAHS that feels like a roast ngl

So we have a friar, warren, architect, doctor (?), anstronomer

These guys are gonna be a big help me thinks…

“Visions the others cannot comprehend” want a bet

Ooooh what will it be

Black stone teehee

“I am not affiliated with the order?” Order of the fallen star?

Yep

Arthur accidentally getting himself drawn into a cult smh

Tomorrow night… well that’ll be next episode I assume

Arthur is probably gonna try take it… maybe

Uh they can’t give him the ring from the order hmmm

Loving that they’re working with non verbal communication as apposed to IGNORING EACHOTHER

Uh oh…

Making note of the scars

Ngl Arthur that’s not the BEST excuse

Ah they’re stuck with eachother for a bit

Hope those walls are soundproof…

John was doing a description!

Mmm yeah I wonder what getting evolved with great ones would do to your faith…

Calling him a heathen HAHA

Arthur is back in the game YEAAAAH

Well maybe…

One of these guys is gonna get murdered FOR SURE

They’re going to pick eachother off

John needs to NOT sleep tonight he’s gonna need to play watch dog

Arthur admitting he’s not ok? Wow who’da thought. Character development!

Who’s moving around

“Sit” “it helps me think” I liked that little exchange idk

Why are you talking about football

He’s trying to get them to fight for it?

Mmmmm so it’s a test?

CALLLLLLLED IT

Murder mystery!!!

Who got murdered?

You think John suspects the power won’t work anymore?

It didn’t with the witch…

Or maybe he’s just nervous to go through it

Man they’re all pointing fingers smh

Ooooh it’s a who done it heheheh

RIP Lengwood

Friar might have done it but he could be a red herring

Well that’s a bloody murder you would get a little blood on you for that

These guys would not solve shit without Arthur

Common interest…

Ah ok order stuff

Devious devious

Ah the ring!!

Arthur can use their’s if necessary

Well shouldn’t you look at Lengwood’s corpse?

Yes yes

OH FUCK

You two need to get rid of that ring

ARTHUR YOU’RE MAKING YOURSELF LOOK SUSPICIOUS

AURGHHHHHH

Arthur has an alibi but you lot can’t hear him!

Friar answered way too quick

“Don’t you mean again” BHAHAHHAHA

John is reluctant to touch the body… does the power not work anymore..?

Ditch the ring!!! Ditch it!! You don’t need it!! Or hide it in your shoe or some shit

SHOE PUT IT IN YOUR SHOE

WHY DID HE JUST DUMP IT

Barnabus jumpscare

Why you grabbing him like that stop that

This guys is a bit creepy

These guys have a guilty before innocent thing

“He studies your face with a cleverness. It’s hidden slightly, behind the veneer of alcohol” nice line I like that

They’re gonna buddy up?

There’s gonna be a brawl or something

Arthur you’re toeing a dangerous line

Everard WANTS you guys to be picked off, he’s not a good alibi

“I’m excited for you to see” the dead body????

Cool chapel? Sounds like it could be?

Oh Lengword woods

“His body is sprawled upon the steps, face to the side in grotesque tableau of agony. His face wears a horrible scream.” Great imagery goddamn

No ring… damn

You guys are bad at investigating stuff

Yeah they’re gonna wanna check your bag probably

How would they explain away Yorick?? “Hey sorry yeah that’s just my severed head, he’s chill dw”

Why is Elia on body disposal duty

Bro is poking at Baranabus BHAHAHAH get FUCKED

Loving the non-verbal communication between these two

What IS Arthur doing

HE’S GONNA PLANT IT. Or something similar

Oh Arthur you sneaky SNEAKY bastard

Clever clever

Everard just dipped BAHHAHHA

I know this is just how Arthur is in his element but also he fits the Warren role

So much for touching the body…

Why do people keep asking him if he’s a good person

Kayne? Horig? Or maybe the KiY??

Omg wait maybe is it Horig…

He was taken to the dreamlands?? Maybe…

OH WHAT THE FUCK

Why’d he do that?

Horrifying imagery, love it

BAHAHA HE’S JUST FLOATING

Well you missed your opportunity

“All you worship the way I do” ehhh Arthur not so much

Dang Everard is a horrid host

So someone else might die overnight

Your alibi really ditched you BAHHAHA

So Barnabus did do it? Maybe

Oooooh black stone next episode!!

[late-to-the-magnus-archives]

Corrupted: TMA x Malevolent fic in progress

Tim Stoker opened a book he shouldn't, and now he's got a new friend.

The good news is, it turns out Tim has a serious aptitude for magic.

The bad news is this universe is filled with beings made of Fear - beings with an unfortunate habit of eating gods - and Hastur, who's calling himself John, is the only god left in this universe who hasn't been chewed.

One of these beings has already marked Tim - the Desolation, a force of destruction and rage.

If they're going to make it through this, they will need some help.

It's up for debate, however, if this is the help they need.

-----

Pounding on his front door wakes him.

Tim startles awake in sour adrenaline, absolutely terrified, and is briefly unable to remember why.

New apartment - he remembers that, but why would someone at the door make him feel he needs to run?

Tim? Someone is at the door.

Oh, right. Corpses with blood that burns, chaos demons, Cthulhus named Yellow. “Yeah,” says Tim, and goes to find a weapon.

He’s bruised to hell and moving like a little old man, but that doesn’t matter. What matters is he doesn’t have any weapons. There are kitchen knives somewhere, but he doesn’t know which box.

He is reduced to gripping a broom as he creeps toward his door.

The pounding has continued.

Oh, says Yellow.

Tim stops creeping. “What do you mean, ‘oh?’”

They found me a lot faster than I expected. Heh. I suspect that’s your fault, as it were. Your power has enhanced my presence.

Bang bang bang goes the door.

“That’s got to be bad,” says Tim. “So am I taking the fire escape, or…”

No, it should be fine - however, be aware that they can hear me.

“Who can?” says Tim.

You are about to meet my followers, says Yellow, and Tim is absolutely sure he is preening.

“Followers?” says Tim. “I thought you’d been on the down-low for centuries, or whatever.”

I am a god, Tim. Did you really believe no one would worship the only god that’s left?

“You know, I don’t think I want to wrestle with that before coffee,” says Tim, and bravely opens the door.

Three men in fucking friar’s robes stand there, fully shaved, eyes a little too wide to be right in the head, and the moment they see him, they all drop to their knees right in the distinctly public hall.

“My lord!” one cries in what might be a French accent. “You have returned! Never have I thought in my lifetime I would see!”

Calm, collected, Tim closes the door.

Yellow is laughing at him. It’s all right, Tim. You can let them in.

“Right. Couple of concerns,“ says Tim. "First of all, what the fuck? Second, do I have to deal with whatever this is?”

No, but it will make things easier.

“How?” says Tim.

The knocking resumes. Bang bang bang.

They have served me for thousands of years, Tim. They have resources we need.

“What, those three guys, specifically?”

No. Their organization.

“And they won’t… you know, lead the god-eaters to you?”

Yellow pauses. By themselves, no. Do you have any idea how many cults and religions there are? Their mere existence is not enough to draw predatory attention.

“You said my power enhances yours, or whatever. We’re pinging radars, apparently.”

They have specific systems set up to recognize me when I am enfleshed. The Entities, while ravenous, do not employ such tricks. No, if my enemies find me, it will not be through these men.

Tim rubs his face. “Just tell me these aren’t the guys who killed my brother. Tell me that.”

I don’t know who had my book, Tim, but it wasn’t them - your brother would never have successfully gotten it away from them.

Bang bang bang.

“Well, someone obviously did get it away from them.”

Tim.

“You need to explain that later. All right? Fine. Here we go.” Tim opens the door.

They’re still on their knees.

Directly behind them, one of Tim’s new neighbors glances down once, glances at him, and moves on their with a distinctly spooked expression.

So that’s great.

“Come in, already,” says Tim, “before anybody else sees you. The fuck, guys?”

They crawl inside. Then each of them takes a small bag from their pockets and begins to pour what might be salt in weird symbols around them on the floor.

Tim’s vacuum is still at his parents’ house. “Oh, what the fuck,” Tim mumbles.

Yellow is laughing again.

“Yellow,” says Tim evenly. “Get them to stop being weird, or I’m not going to keep this up.”

My friends, my beloved ones, Hastur pronounces (and one of the men makes an absolutely indecent sound). Welcome. This one is my own, for I have chosen him: you will call him Lord Stoker, and you will do as he bids.

“Wait a damn minute!” Tim chokes.

“We hear and obey!” they say as one, and repeat it three fucking times.

It’s all right, Tim, says Yellow, highly amused. They will help us find what we need.

“What we need to what?” says Tim.

Protect you. Extend your life. And… maybe find something we can do to keep me out of Kayne’s hands.

“Why the fuck didn’t you say so sooner?” Tim mutters.

Because this is very funny, and I wanted to see what you’d do.

“You’re a son of a bitch, you know that?” Tim says.

Yellow just laughs.

[iris-echos]

MALEVOLENT PART 46 LIVEBLOG

(Starts under the cut bc spoilers)

Hopefully i wont cry as much as last ep lmaoo

Oh no thats faroe thsu is gonna be sad

Actually arthurs probably gonna emd up in life threatening danger and hes gonna whimper (he always does that 🙄)

Its been too long since he got stuck in a hole

Guys "go to sleep" okay thats so domestic coded

John it is never an animal

Except for alexander but i think there's something up with him as well so

STOP THIS IS SO BITTERSWEET

Rahhhhhhh

NO LILY I LOVE YOU

Arties so eepy rn lmso

This guy has not had a good sleep since the coma

John..... my baby... you are a good man

Woah what the fuck

NO ARTHUR ITS A TRAP

Nononononono

Ik i said its been too long since youve been in danger but get out of there

Friars lanetern??? Friar lawrence reference

What is this place bro

Fuck is bro in the fae realm???

IS HE HIGH NOW

ALIENS?!?!?

Oh shit theyre dead

[pamphletstoinspire]

Saint Anthony, The Miracle Worker

June 13th - Today is the Feast Day of Saint Anthony of Padua. Ora pro nobis. (Pray for us)

He is one of the most famous saints of the Church, known universally as the super-competent manager of the celestial “Lost and Found” department. (“Tony, Tony, come around; something’s lost and can’t be found” is a prayer whispered by millions.)

For those of us accustomed to this familiar relationship, however, it may come as a shock to learn who Saint Anthony of Padua, O.F.M. actually was. For though he only lived 35 years, Anthony was renowned during his lifetime for his forceful preaching and expert knowledge of scripture – and for his miracles.

So well regarded was he, in fact, that in all of the 2000-year history of the Church, Anthony was to become the second-most-quickly canonized saint, after Peter of Verona. Anthony was canonized by Pope Gregory IX on 30 May 1232, at Spoleto, Italy, less than one year after his death.

Fernando’s Life Plans, Changed

Fernando Martins de Bulhões was born in 1195 to an aristocratic Lisbon family and initially joined the Augustinians at the age of fifteen. He was the guest master for their abbey containing the famous library at Coimbra, when his whole world suddenly changed.

Franciscan friars had settled at a small hermitage nearby; their Order had been founded only eleven years before. News soon arrived that five Franciscans had been beheaded in Morocco; the King ransomed their bodies to be returned and buried as martyrs in the Abbey.

Inspired by their example and strongly attracted to their simple, evangelical lifestyle, Fernando obtained permission to join the new Order, upon his admission adopting the name ‘Anthony.’ He then set out for Morocco; however, he fell seriously ill and on the return voyage his ship was blown off course and landed in Sicily. When he found his way to northern Italy, Anthony was finally assigned to a rural Franciscan hermitage, due to his poor health. There he lived in a cell in a nearby cave, where he spent much time in private prayer and study.

ANTHONY THE HOMILIST: One Sunday in 1222 a number of Dominican friars visited for an ordination and a misunderstanding arose as to who should preach. The Dominicans were renowned for their preaching, but had come unprepared, thinking that a Franciscan would be the homilist. Anthony was entreated him to speak whatever the Holy Spirit should inspire him with; his homily that day created a deep impression and began his career as a speaker. By 1224, St Francis of Assisi, founder of the Order, entrusted Anthony with the theological preparation for his priests.

Anthony focused on the grandeur of Christianity in his homilies and when a few years later he was sent as the envoy from the Franciscans to Pope Gregory IX, the Pope commissioned his collection, Sermons for Feast Days (Sermones in Festivitates). Gregory IX himself described him as the “Ark of the Testament.”

ANTHONY THE MIRACLE WORKER: The stories of Anthony’s 13th century miracles make fascinating reading for today’s Catholic. Despite their obvious folkloric tone, it is the miracles’ utter originality that impresses most. One comes away thinking that such astonishing occurrences can only be fairy tales — or the special kind of reality that seems to envelope the saints. As there are far too many miracles to recount here, we’ll focus on three of the most famous:

THE KNEELING MULE: The teaching of the Real Presence was disparaged in northern Italy during the 1200s, as the gnostic heresy of the Albigensians had spread from France. One day, Anthony was publically challenged. “The heretic stood up and said: ‘I’ll keep my beast of burden locked up for three days and I will starve him. After three days, in the presence of other people, I’ll let him out and I’ll show him some prepared fodder. You, on the other hand will show him what you believe to be the body of Christ. If the starving animal, ignoring the fodder, rushes to adore his God, I will sincerely believe in the faith of the Church.’

“The saint agreed straight away. God’s servant entered a nearby chapel, to perform the rites of the Mass with great devotion. Once finished, he exited where the people were waiting, carrying reverently the body of the Lord. The hungry mule was led out of the stall, and shown appetizing food. The man of God said to the animal with great faith: “In the name of virtue and the Creator, who I, although unworthy, am carrying in my hands, I ask you, o beast, and I order to come closer quickly and with humility and to show just veneration, so that the malevolent heretics will learn from this gesture that every creature is subject to the Lord, as held in the hands with priestly dignity on the altar”.

God’s servant had hardly finished speaking, when the animal, ignoring the fodder, knelt down and lowered his head to the floor, thus genuflecting before the living sacrament of the body of Christ.”

THE LISTENING FISH: The story takes place in Rimini, a port on the Adriatic near Padua. On a Sunday morning, the Saint found the fishermen there not at Mass. He began to preach to them and met only with ridicule. Anthony then stood at the edge of the water, looked in the distance, and proclaimed so that everyone would hear:

“’From the moment in which you proved yourselves to be unworthy of the Word of the Lord, look, I turn to the fish, to further confound your disbelief.’

“And filled with the Lord’s spirit, he began to preach to the fish, elaborating on their gifts given by God: how God had created them, how He was responsible for the purity of the water and how much freedom He had given them, and how they were able to eat without working.

“The fish began to gather together to listen to this speech, lifting their heads above the water and looking at him attentively, with their mouths open. As long as it pleased the Saint to talk to them, they stayed there listening attentively, as if they could reason. Nor did they leave their place, until they had received his blessing.

ANTHONY & THE BABY JESUS: Anthony was welcomed by a local resident in an Italian town where he was to preach. His host gave him a room set apart, so that he could study and contemplate undisturbed. Soon, however, his curiosity about his famous guest overcame him and his host peeped through Anthony’s window. What he saw there has been immortalized in almost every Catholic Church in the world. “A beautiful joyful baby appear in blessed Anthony’s arms. The Saint hugged and kissed him, contemplating the face with unceasing attention. The landlord was awed and enraptured by the child’s beauty, and shocked when, after a long time spent in prayer, the vision disappeared; the Saint called the landlord, and he forbade him from telling anyone what he had seen. After the Saint passed away, the man told the tale crying, swearing on the Bible that he was telling the truth.”

SOMETHING’S LOST AND CAN’T BE FOUND: An incident in the university city of Bologna is the origin of the Saint’s fame as a finder of lost items, people and spiritual goods. Anthony possessed a book of psalms with valuable notes and comments for use in teaching his students. A novice who had decided to leave the Order stole the prized psalter. Anthony prayed his psalter would be found or returned. The thief was moved to restore the book to Anthony and return to the Order. The stolen book is said to be preserved in the Franciscan friary in Bologna.

THE FAME OF ST. ANTHONY SPREAD GLOBALLY with the former Portuguese Empire and with the diaspora of 19th and 20th century Italian emigrants. Stories of the Saint’s interventions are reported, therefore, from the four corners of the earth:

In Siolim, a village in the Indian state of Goa, St. Anthony is always shown holding a serpent on a stick . This is a depiction of the incident which occurred during the construction of the church wherein a snake was disrupting construction work. The people turned to St. Anthony for help, and placed his statue at the construction site. The next morning, the snake was found caught in the cord placed in the statue’s hand.

THE GRAVE OF SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA: Anthony was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church on 16 January 1946, and his Basilica in Padua contains his mortal remains.

By Fr. Francis Xavier Weninger, 1877

St. Anthony, who derived his surname from the city of Padua, in Italy, because he spent many years there in preaching the Gospel, was a native of Lisbon, in Portugal. He received, in holy baptism, the name of Ferdinand, and was very piously educated by his parents. No sooner had he become acquainted with the dangers of the world, than he, in the fifteenth year of his age, to be safe from temptation, went into the cloister of the regular Canons, which is not far from Lisbon, where he also made his religious vows. As, however, he was disturbed too much there by the visits of his friends, he went, with the permission of his superiors, to Coimbra, into the monastery of the Holy Cross. To this house came, one day, five friars of the Order of St. Francis, who were travelling to Africa to preach the Gospel to the Moors. They suffered martyrdom, however, soon after their arrival there, and their holy bodies were brought back to the monastery of the Holy Cross, at Coimbra, and solemnly interred in the church attached to it. Antony, hearing how fearlessly these martyrs had preached the true faith and had suffered for Christ’s sake, conceived an intense desire to preach the Gospel to the heathen and to give his life for the word of God. Hence, he determined to enter the Order of St. Francis, that he might have an opportunity to gratify the wishes of his heart.

After much hardship, he was at length, when 20 years of age, received into the Order, and after his novitiate, he obtained permission to sail for Africa and preach the Gospel to the Saracens. Scarcely had he arrived there, when God proved him by a severe sickness, which exhausted all his strength, and forced him to return to Spain. The ship, however, in which he embarked for home, encountered contrary winds, and instead of going to Spain, was driven to Sicily. No sooner had he set foot on land, than he heard that St. Francis, the holy founder of his order, had called a general chapter at Assisium. He immediately went thither, in order to receive the blessing of the Saint, which was cheerfully given. When the assemblage dispersed, not one among the superiors was found willing to be burdened with Antony, who was greatly enfeebled by his long illness, and moreover, was thought to be not quite sane. The Father Provincial of the Roman province was at last moved with compassion, and sent him to a house called Mount St. Paul, which was situated in a wilderness. There St. Antony lived a most austere life, performing the most humble labor, and occupying all his other time with prayers and holy meditations.

After passing several years in this manner, he was sent with a few other religious to Forli to be ordained priest. The guardian of the monastery requested the Dominican priests, who had also assembled there, that one of them should make an exhortation or deliver a short sermon. As they all excused themselves from so doing, he said, more in jest than in earnest, that brother Antony should speak to those assembled. Antony obeyed, and delivered so eloquent a sermon that all were astonished at his knowledge and ability, as, until now, they had deemed him one of the least gifted. Not willing that his extraordinary talent should any longer be hidden, St. Francis himself had him ordained priest, and gave him a double employment, namely, to instruct his brethren in theology and also to preach. The duties of both functions were discharged by him, with great credit to himself and an indescribable benefit to others. He converted the most hardened sinners by his sermons, and among others induced twenty-two murderers to do penance and change their wicked course of life. The heretics he convinced so thoroughly of their errors, that they could not withstand him, on account of which he was called the “Hammer of the heretics.”

Many of them he converted to the true faith, among whom was Bonovillus, who had denied the substantial presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament. Not able to reply to Antony’s arguments he requested the following miracles. Having starved his ass for three days, he was to bring him food at the same time that Saint Antony should come with the holy Eucharist; and if the beast, before touching his food, should fall down before the Blessed Sacrament, he would believe the Saint’s words. At the appointed time, the Saint arrived with the Blessed Sacrament, accompanied by many Catholics, and addressing the ass, which was held by Bonovillus, he said: “I command thee, in the name of thy Creator and my Saviour, whom I, although an unworthy priest, carry at this moment in my hands, that you come, in all humility, and pay Him due honors.” Bonovillus, at the same time, threw down the animal’s food and called him to come and eat. But without touching the food, the ass fell down on his fore knees, and bent his head. The Catholics rejoiced at this incontestable miracle, but the heretics hid their heads and Bonovillus was converted. At Rimini, the chief seat of the heretics, he ascended the pulpit; but as no heretic would come and listen to him, the Saint went to the sea-shore, where just at that time many of them were standing, and called to the fishes to hear his words, as men would not be instructed. And behold! suddenly a great number of fishes raised their heads out of the water, as if to listen. Speaking for a short time of their Creator, he blessed and dismissed them. This miracle caused the heretics to listen more attentively to St. Antony and to follow his admonitions.

At another time, he made the sign of the cross over a goblet filled with poison, and drank it without being harmed. The cause of his doing this was that some heretics promised to return to the true Church, if he would drink the poison and not die. A perpetual miracle was the fact that, although he preached only in one language, yet all his hearers understood him, no matter what might be their nationality.

Who can count all the miracles God wrought through this Saint, or who can sufficiently praise the wonderful gifts with which he was graced? More than once it happened that at the same time when he was standing in the pulpit to preach, he appeared also in the choir and sang the lesson of the daily office of the Church, which was pointed out to him. He prophesied many future events and knew by divine revelation many secrets of the heart. There lived, in a French city, a writer, who publicly led a most immoral life. St. Antony resided for some time in this city, and as often as he met this man, he bowed very low to him. The writer, on perceiving it, was greatly incensed, as he believed it was done by the holy man only to deride him: hence he reproached him with menacing words. The Saint, however, replied: “Be not surprised that I show such respect to you before others. I have long prayed God for the grace to die a martyr, but it has not been granted me. You, however, will receive this honor, and therefore I evince such particular respect for you.” Although the writer laughed and made a mockery of this prophecy, yet the future showed that the Saint had spoken the truth. After the expiration of some time, this immoral man made a voyage to the Holy Land, in company with the Bishop of the city. On arriving there, he was seized by the Saracens, who demanded of him that he should deny his faith. He, however, remained firm in confessing it, and after having been greatly tormented, he suffered the death of a martyr.

St. Antony was as undaunted and fearless in punishing the wicked, when circumstances required it, as he was famous by the gift of prophecy. At that period Florence was governed by Ezelinus, who, among other cruel deeds, had executed 11,000 men of Padua, part of whom were in his service and part in garrison at Verona, because the inhabitants of Padua had rebelled. Nobody dared to oppose this tyrant in the execution of further barbarities but St. Antony, who had sufficient courage to go to him, and representing most powerfully his inhuman conduct, threatened him with the just wrath of the Almighty and the torments of hell, in case he repented not and abstained from, his tyranny.

During this menace flames of fire darted from the countenance of St. Antony, as Ezelinus afterwards related, which so thoroughly frightened the tyrant, that he fell trembling at the feet of the Saint, and most earnestly promised repentance. As he converted this and many other sinners by admonition, he moved others , in a different way to do penance. Many said that he had suddenly appeared before them at night and exhorted them to repent. “Rise quickly, said he at such times, and confess the sin by which you have offended the majesty of God.”

I should hardly know where to end, were I to relate all that St. Antony did to convert sinners, or how many future events he foretold. I will mention only a few more facts, from which the conclusion may be drawn that, as the holy man appeared in different places at the same time, so also, by the power of God, he was miraculously transported, in one moment, from one place to another. The father of St. Antony resided at Lisbon in Portugal, as treasurer of the royal revenues, the duties of which office he discharged with fidelity and integrity. One day, he was requested by some gentlemen in the king’s service to advance them some money out of the king’s treasury, making a verbal promise to return the same in a short time. The pious treasurer, who neither feared deception nor danger, gave them what they asked, without taking a written receipt. When the time arrived at which he had to deliver his account, he asked the officers for the borrowed money, but they denied having received any. This perfidy grieved the kind man deeply, and he knew not what to do. Seeking refuge in fervent prayers to God, he received help in a miraculous way through his son, who resided at that time in Italy. At the time he was to appear before the royal judge to be sentenced to return the missing money, his holy son suddenly appeared in the room, and addressed the officers in the following manner: “This kind man, my father, has advanced you, upon your request, a sum of money out of the royal treasury, on such a day, at such an hour, in such a place, as is well known to you. I warn you to return it to him and to indemnify him; otherwise, divine vengeance will strike you, and you will be heavily punished.” The guilty men were not less astonished at the presence of the holy man, than at his menaces and the revelation of their wickedness. They immediately testified in writing how much each of them had received, promising at the same time to repay it in a short time. No sooner was this done, than the Saint disappeared from their view.

This pious treasurer was in still greater danger at another time. He was accused of having committed murder, and sentence was to be executed on him and his servant on the following day. Antony was at Padua; but God revealed to him what had taken place at Lisbon. The Saint asked permission of his superior to seek some recreation out of the city. Hardly was he out of the place, when, like Habakuk, he was carried by an angel through the air to Lisbon. He went to the judge and represented his father’s innocence. Finding, however, no willing ear in the judge, he repaired to the grave of the murdered man, commanded him to rise, and leading him to the judge, he requested of him to say if his father was the man, who, with the aid of his servant had assassinated him. The risen man replied distinctly: “No: it was not he.” The Judge requested that St. Antony should demand of him the name of the real murderer: the Saint, however, replied: ” I have not come to bring death to a guilty man, but to rescue the innocent.” Upon this, his father and his servant were released, and Antony was carried back to Padua by the angel.

After this wonder-working servant of God had filled all Italy and France with the fame of his miracles and conversions, God revealed to him his approaching last hour. He repaired to an isolated spot, and having prepared himself for his end, he returned very sick to Padua, received extreme unction, recited the seven Penitential Psalms, and his usual prayer: “O Glorious Lady, &c.” The divine mother appeared to him with the child Jesus, and the Saint conversed with them most lovingly until his pure soul went to the abode of the blessed. This took place in 1231, when he was hardly 36 years of age. They desired to keep his death concealed from the people for some time, but the little children proclaimed it by calling out in the streets: “The Saint is dead.” Thirty-two years later, when his holy remains were raised, his tongue was found entirely incorrupt. St. Bonaventure taking it in his-hand, said: “O blessed tongue, which always praised God and taught others how to praise Him! Now we have evidence how great thy merits were before God!”

The Saint is generally represented with the divine Child, as He appeared to him and embraced him. The lilies are also dedicated to him as an emblem of his unspotted innocence and purity. It is well known that this Saint is invoked when things are lost or have been purloined. Countless occurrences show at this day that the intercession of this Saint is powerful at the throne of the Almighty.

By: Beverly Stevens