MY BUDDY ST. ANTHONY

Ray E. Lipinski

Day in day out, it’s always the same I never stop calling this patient saint’s name I lost my keys, I lost my phone, I lost my wallet, even the garden gnome

But it never fails when I call him out He stops my frustrations and worrisome pouts Tony, Tony turn around … What once was lost, please make found

And just like that it never fails My tears are dried, and I stop the wail My item appears usually right in front of me Oh to St. Anthony, thank you to thee Next day comes and starts all over again My wallet, my keys, my ball point pen Do I have my phone, where is my book? I know Anthony is sighing, did I take another look? Of course, I did not, I just call on his name Anthony to the rescue, it’s our little game One day he’s going to just charge me a fee Or a Divine referral to get checked for ADD But one thing’s for sure next to the Heavenly gate St. Anthony finds my item without haste He’s my one true bud that keeps me sound The original purveyor of the lost and found

So when you’ve lost that item for the umpteenth time No need to worry, stress or to whine Just simply repeat Tony Tony turn around … What once was lost please make found

So I’ll turn around, twirl and laugh to myself And most likely my item is there on the shelf I’ll roll my eyes, but smile with glee Because St. Anthony is always looking out for me.

The reason for invoking St. Anthony’s help in finding lost or stolen things is traced back to an incident in his own life. As the story goes, Anthony had lost a book of psalms that was very important to him. Besides, the value of any before the invention of printing, the psalter had the notes and comments he had made to use in teaching students in his Franciscan Order. A novice who had already grown tired of living religious life decided to depart the community. Besides going AWOL he also took Anthony’s psalter. Upon realizing his psalter was missing, Anthony prayed it would be returned to him. And after his prayer the thieving novice was moved to return the psalter to Anthony and also to return to the Order, which accepted him back.