St. Anthony of Padua

Berkeley, Thursday, June 4, 2026 10:56 PM

Feast: June 13.

Day 1 June 4. 10:56 PM. I might not get in depth in this novena. I will see. A connection. My mom has a strong devotion to San Antonio. Less direct connections, although about the reason of the name. The land where I am living now, was named Rancho San Antonio around the 1820s I believe, which lasted probably until around 1864, with the treaty of Guadalupe de Hidalgo. However, San Antonio is still one of the oldest neighborhoods of Oakland. I believe the house of Peralta father was in that area. I would need to check the facts. With frequency I go now to the San Antonio Creek estuary. I am sad that the marsh is gone. All those freeways and land filling in general, and gigantic squared buildings are not necessary my big loves. Although, I could be ok with the buildings because of its necessity. The good news is that there is a frequent ferry from San Antonio creek. The ferry thing could have been quite a longer history, and probably from that place as well, meaning I now that the coast people, Ohlone, used canoes. What I do not now is from where, which can be harbors in several places. There are things that for locals does not happen randomly. But all those vertical infrastructures of biking underneath cars at high speeds. And all the freeway infrastructure fracturing pleasing walks on a city, where we do not even see its creeks it creates me some mix feelings. The mix feelings are about the natural harmony to nature. One does not fight nature. There should be a harmony. The harmony is preserved in several places. Of course, the rancho, and I am not defending the rancho, the story could be about the folks who have lived there. I wandered about the name sake of the rancho, and it brought me to a few more details, which I keep learning. And ofc ourse there have been pleasant restoration projects, i.e. in Richmond marina, there is a beautiful slough restored, where one can see the birds, seagulls, pelicans, ducks, enjoying, as well as the self. But Richmond was North of Rancho San Antonio, which extended from San Leandro Creek at south, North to El Cerrito Creek, East to the East Bay Coastal Mountain Range, and west to the San Francisco Bay.

I can count about 11 creeks in that extent which covers current about 4 cities, Oakland, San Leandro (part), Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, Alameda, El Cerrito (part), Kensington (part). Well, actually twice as the initial number of cities I though. Oh, Piedmont as well. Those are relative new cities in a world history. Less than 200 years old, which might 4 to 7 generations of inhabitants. At least in Berkeley people move out a lot, because it is a University city. But, it has its core things as well.

Bus transportation is good, as well as bart, ferry, and the biking has improve, but I always need to bike with all my senses. So far, only one accident in this area, and from my own fault, a minor accident, due to a lack of periodical maintenance in the bike, too heavy backpack for an event, I couldn’t save the bike that time. But that was once in 2024. Maintenance is key.

I do appreciate the improvement of cycling roads. I will keep learning more things here and there, more or less literally, or there and there, as I continue to do half of commute, and most of my day, in former Rancho San Antonio, its creeks, its cities, its land, i might learn and try more about its fruits. And of course, hopefully learn more from its current and prior settlers.

I also need to learn more about Saint Anthony of Padua appearance in a mount of Cañar, where a church was built on his honor.

Saint Anthony of Padua was a Franciscan. He was born in Lisbon. He lived in Padua Italy, where his relics are, and where he gets the last name “de Padua”. The last two sentences are from reference [1]

I know I wrote more about two places under his name. It was something on my head, but next days, and depending on the times, I will write about the actual Saint’s life.

Day 2 June 7 0:50 am. He was born Ferdinand. He changed his name to Anthony when he received the Franciscan Habit in honor to Saint Anthony the Great. Patriarch of the monks. This thing of choosing a name in a religious event, I need to learn more before expressing an opinion. It creates a resistance first, without knowing, but tradition goes back to the bible, including Simon Peter, Saul and Paul. Recalling things from the memory. The first part of Anthony’s name is from reference [1].

Day 3 June 11 2:30 am. I might or might not finishing the reading about Saint Anthony of Padua by his feast June 13. It is hard to do several things at the time. My head is a bit loaded with stories I have been listening. Good conversations, but I also need to make progress. Might be about 10 oz of wine in a one day ago gathering. A bit of heaviness, and might be gasses, in the stomach, could be related either to the snacks or the food itself. Back to the novena. Saint Anthony of Padua seems that tired to go to Morocco. Calling things from memory now. But he got sick. End up in a ship somewhere in Sicilia. He learned that there was a big event in Assisi, brother ? was preaching with Saint Francis, present there at his feet. Saint Anthony attended to the event. He was humble and quiet above himself. He did mundane tasks such as washing the dishes. People did not expect his thunder enlightenment or capacity to preach. An excellent orator. I will keep learning. [1]

Day 4 June 12 3:20 am I took so many detours. One was a conversation. I assume I learned something. After all those distractions, which started about 3 hours ago. While I read and learned a few important things.

But on St. Anthony. I recall from what I read, that probably at that audience or in another, in Assisi, together with the Dominicans. A Dominican was invited to preach. Somehow the dominican forgot. Someone asked to the young Saint Anthony to go up there and preach to the audience. He delivered an excellent sermon, filled by the Holy Spirit. His reputation grew after that important meeting. I think he was asked to go to Padua. Do not recall all the details, but it is good to stand up and to face the challenges.

Day 5 June 14 8:08 am I have destroyed my last days with worthy and streaming distraction, and some curiosity, and with lack of sleep. Back to St. Anthony. He had an amazing memory. He died at 36 years old. He was canonized a year after. He is a doctor of the church in the topic of evangelization. Saint of the lost things, it might be either related to a bible he got back after prayer. The bible had his notes on it. A psalmer to be more specific.

I should have dedicated more time St. Anthony but I learned a few things.

Pray for me.

This could be the last novena in here.

References

[1] Thurston, Herbert S.J. and Donald Attwater. 1963 Butler’s Lives of the Saint. Complete Edition. Edited, revised and supplemented by Herbert Thurston, S.J. and Donald Attwater. PJ Kenedy & Sons. New York

[2] https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-anthony-of-padua/