St. Anthony's Feast

Catholic Feast days are days set aside to remember important people who lived extrodinary lives. Feast day were celebrated through the course of our faith. Most saints and holy people have specially designated feast days - usually the day of their death. On those days we remember these holy men and women in a special way. Saint Anthony of Padua died on June 13th, 1231, which is his feast day. Anthony was Born in Lisbon, Portugal, and died in Padua, so he is remembered fondly by both Italians and Portuguese.

One of the customs on this day is known as "St. Anthony's Bread" and goes back to A.D. 1263 when a child drowned near the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua as it was still being built. The mother prayed to St. Anthony and promised that if her child were restored to life, she would give to the poor an amount of wheat equal to the weight of her child. Of course her son was saved, and her promise was kept. "St. Anthony's Bread," then, is the promise of giving alms in return for a favor asked of God through St. Anthony's intercession (the custom also takes place throughout the year when parents give alms after placing their baby under the patronage of St. Anthony). In some places, the custom has a literal parallel in that loaves of bread might be blessed and given away at church or, generally, to the poor. 
We are blessing bread today - after the morning Mass!
Peace!