Francis and Anthony: Brothers in Alms

Francis and Anthony: Brothers in Alms

Anthony’s ascent to sainthood was even more meteoric than Francis’. The citizens of Padua demanded that “their saint” be canonized, and on May 30, 1232, less than a year after his death, Gregory IX announced that this “Hammer of Heretics”–because of Anthony’s profound knowledge of Scripture–was now among the saints of the church. In so doing, no doubt the pope intended to reward a staunch ally, but also to send a message to the Lesser Brothers. …