Have you ever heard the story of Saint Anthony's Miracle of the Mule?
June 13 is the Church’s memorial of the miraculous Saint Anthony of Padua, patron saint of lost items, the poor, and travelers.
The Catholic Church attributes many miracles to this 13th-century saint, one of which proved the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist to a heretic.
Saint Anthony fought and taught against heresies, including the Cathar heresy, which denied Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist. Toulouse, France, was the central point of this heresy, and St. Anthony participated in multiple public debates against it.
During one debate, a man named Bononillo challenged St. Anthony’s belief in the Eucharistic presence.
Bononillo said,
“If you can make my mule bow down before what you call the Body of Christ, I will believe.”
St. Anthony tried to convince him in other ways but saw no other option.
Bononillo then decided to starve his mule for three days.
On the third day, St. Anthony celebrated Mass in the city’s public square. After Mass, Bononillo went before St. Anthony and offered his mule food, while St. Anthony carried a consecrated host.
St. Anthony said,
“Mule! Come here and show reverence to your Creator!”
St. Anthony held up the Eucharistic host, and rather than accepting Bononillo’s food, the starved mule bowed down and knelt before the Eucharist.
Once Bononillo saw this, he also bowed and knelt before the Eucharist. Many other heretics converted that day.
Learn more about Saint Anthony's Miracle of the Mule below:
Prayer to St. Anthony
O wonderful St. Anthony, glorious on account of the fame of your miracles, and through the condescension of Jesus in coming in the form of a little child to rest in your arms, obtain for me of His bounty the grace which I ardently desire from the depths of my heart. (State your intention)
You who were so compassionate toward miserable sinners, regard not the unworthiness of those who pray to you, but the glory of God that it may once again be magnified by the granting of the particular request (State your intention) which I now ask for with persevering earnestness. Amen
Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and Glory Be to the Father, in honor of Saint Anthony.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
Prayer source: EWTN