Saint Anthony of Padua (1195-1231) is probably best known for his title of “Miracle Worker”, but this is only one of the many titles he possesses. The particular title that reflects the sanctity of St. Anthony in this story is that wonderful title of “Malleus hereticorum”; which translated from the Latin is “Hammer of Heretics”. But what is a heretic? A heretic is anyone who has been validly baptized into the Roman Catholic Church but rejects one or more of the Truths revealed by God to His church. For it is only through the Roman Catholic Church that God reveals to all people His Truths - what He wants us to believe and how He wants us to behave. Knowing that heretics place themselves outside of the Church and therefore risk not going to Heaven when they die, St. Anthony fought against heresy with great strength and energy. He was rewarded with many conversions, as numerous heretics came to see their errors, publicly reject them, and return to the One, True Church.

On one occasion, St. Anthony traveled to the town of Rimini in France, where there were many Albigensians. Albigensians are heretics (as you may remember from Lady Gwendolyn’s story What devils fear most) who believe in a number of heresies - one of which denies the fact that Jesus Christ is present Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Holy Eucharist. In this town there was an Albigensian who was particularly bold in proclaiming his disbelief in the True Presence. St. Anthony tried to talk to him, but the unchristian merchant stubbornly clung to his heresy. At length, the Saint and the heretic came to a strange agreement. If the man’s mule recognized the presence of its God and Creator in the Holy Eucharist, then the merchant would renounce his heresy and accept all the doctrines that St. Anthony taught. The heretic made certain conditions, though. The mule would be starved - given absolutely nothing to eat for three days. At the end of this time St. Anthony would bring the Blessed Sacrament to the town square and display it in the monstrance on one side of the plaza. The merchant, however, would be on the other side of the square, offering his mule the finest food he had. If the heretic won, he said that he would be able to denounce St. Anthony and everything that he preached. St. Anthony, on the other hand said that if it failed it would only be because of St. Anthony’s sins. At any rate they set out to accomplish their tasks; the merchant trusting in himself, and St. Anthony trusting in God. During the three days while the animal fasted, St. Anthony prayed fervently to God to show these Albigensians the evil and error of their ways.

Finally the awaited day arrived, and the town square was packed with people. Some were believers, others heretics, but all were curious as to what would happen. Soon the hungry mule was led out into the middle of the square and placed between the merchant and St. Anthony. The heretic had loads of fragrant oats and hay placed beside himself, full of confidence that the mule could not resist. The crowd was silent. The poor mule saw the food and for a moment it seemed that it would go and eat every ounce. Then St. Anthony revealed the Holy Eucharist from beneath his cloak and reverently elevated It for all to behold. Immediately and without hesitation the mule, on beholding the Blessed Sacrament, knelt down in worship before It. Confronted with his own mule acknowledging the presence of their Sovereign Lord in the Consecrated Host, the merchant renounced his error and professed before all present his newfound faith in the Real Presence.

As wonderful as this and all other miracles are, we witness one greater than them every Sunday at Church. When a Catholic priest says the words of Consecration the Host and wine are no longer bread and wine but the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, True God and True man. If God could reveal His Presence to a poor mule, how much more Faith should we have, who are actually going to receive this miracle into ourselves? Let us pray everyday - especially to Saint Anthony - for an increase in Faith in the Real Presence of Our Lord in the Holy Eucharist.