Saint Anthony of Padua was a thirteenth-century Portuguese Franciscan preacher and Doctor of the Church. Catholics have long sought his intercession in urgent needs, especially for the recovery of lost things and for help in troubles that seem beyond remedy. The Unfailing Prayer recalls his charity, his miracles, and his tender love for the Christ Child. The brief rhyme is commonly prayed when an object has been misplaced. Si quaeris miracula is the traditional responsory from the Office of Saint Anthony, generally attributed to Julian of Speyer. It may be prayed privately or in connection with his feast on June 13.
Unfailing Prayer:
O holy St. Anthony, gentlest of Saints, your love for God and charity for His creatures made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore of you to obtain for me (mention your request). The answer to my prayer may require a miracle. Even so, you are the Saint of Miracles. O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms; and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Amen.
For Lost Things:
St. Anthony, St. Anthony, please come around; something is lost and cannot be found.
Responsory:
If, then, thou seekest miracles,
Death, error, all calamities,
The leprosy and demons fly,
And health succeeds infirmities.
The sea obeys and fetters break,
And lifeless limbs thou dost restore;
Whilst treasures lost are found again,
When young and old thine aid implore.
All dangers vanish at thy prayer,
And direst need doth quickly flee.
Let those who know thy power proclaim,
Let Paduans say: these are of thee.
The sea obeys and fetters break,
And lifeless limbs thou dost restore;
Whilst treasures lost are found again,
When young and old thine aid implore.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
The sea obeys and fetters break,
And lifeless limbs thou dost restore;
Whilst treasures lost are found again,
When young and old thine aid implore.
V. Pray for us, blessed Anthony.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray.
May the votive commemoration of blessed Anthony, Thy Confessor, O God, be a source of joy to Thy people, that they may always be strengthened by his spiritual assistance and deserve eternal rewards. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
In Latin
Si quaeris miracula,
Mors, error, calamitas,
Daemon, lepra fugiunt,
Aegri surgunt sani.
Cedunt mare, vincula;
Membra, resque perditas
Petunt et accipiunt
Juvenes et cani.
Pereunt pericula,
Cessat et necessitas:
Narrent hi qui sentiunt,
Dicant Paduani.
Cedunt mare, vincula;
Membra, resque perditas
Petunt et accipiunt
Juvenes et cani.
Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto.
Cedunt mare, vincula;
Membra, resque perditas
Petunt et accipiunt
Juvenes et cani.
V. Ora pro nobis, beate Antoni.
R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi.
Oremus.
Ecclesiam tuam, Deus, beati Antonii Confessoris tui commemoratio votiva laetificet: ut spiritualibus semper muniatur auxiliis, et gaudiis perfrui mereatur aeternis. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
When to pray it: Pray these prayers when seeking Saint Anthony’s intercession, especially for an urgent need or something lost.
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