Novena to St. Anthony of Padua for Lost Things and Urgent Needs
Saint Anthony of Padua is one of the most beloved saints in the Catholic Church and one of the most frequently invoked intercessors in times of urgent need. Known throughout the world as the finder of lost things, St. Anthony is also a powerful helper in moments of confusion, distress, and deep anxiety.
Many Catholics turn to this Novena to St. Anthony of Padua when something important seems lost—whether a material object, inner peace, direction in life, or hope itself. This novena can be prayed at any time of the year, especially during difficult moments, when trust in God is tested and perseverance in prayer is needed.
Through this traditional novena, we place our intentions before God, asking for St. Anthony’s loving intercession and surrendering our request to the Lord’s holy will.
Who Was Saint Anthony of Padua?
Saint Anthony of Padua (1195–1231) was a Franciscan priest, preacher, and Doctor of the Church, renowned for his deep knowledge of Scripture, profound holiness, and extraordinary miracles. He had a special love for the poor and a tender devotion to the Infant Jesus, who is often depicted resting in his arms.
Because of countless testimonies of favors received through his intercession, St. Anthony became known as the saint who helps recover what has been lost—both materially and spiritually. For centuries, Catholics have confidently sought his help in moments of need, trusting in God’s mercy and providence.
A Documented Miracle: The Mule of Rimini
Among the many miracles attributed to Saint Anthony, one stands out for its dramatic power and its historical documentation in early Franciscan sources — the miracle of the mule of Rimini.
Around 1220, Anthony was preaching in Rimini, a coastal city in northern Italy. The city had a significant population of Cathars — a heretical sect that denied, among other things, the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. No matter how eloquently Anthony preached, the Cathars refused to listen. One of their leaders, a man named Bonvillo, challenged Anthony publicly: he would believe in the Eucharist only if his mule — which had been kept without food for three days — chose to kneel before the Blessed Sacrament instead of eating.
Anthony accepted the challenge.
On the appointed day, a large crowd gathered in the town square. Bonvillo led his starving mule to the center. Anthony approached, carrying the Blessed Sacrament. On one side, a servant held out a bucket of grain. On the other, Anthony held the Host.
The mule turned away from the food. It lowered its head and knelt before the Eucharist.
The crowd fell silent. Bonvillo, according to the accounts, was shaken — and later converted. The event was witnessed by hundreds and recorded in early hagiographies of Saint Anthony, including the Assidua, the oldest biography of the saint, written within a year of his death in 1231.
The miracle of Rimini is not a legend. It is one of the most carefully documented events in the life of Saint Anthony — a moment when an animal recognized what a man refused to see. For those who pray this novena carrying their own doubts or impossibilities, it is a reminder: Anthony has stood before harder cases than yours, and he has not failed.
Why Pray the Novena to St. Anthony?
This novena is especially prayed for:
- Finding lost objects or important documents
- Help in urgent or desperate situations
- Guidance when feeling confused or discouraged
- Strength in times of anxiety or distress
- Renewed faith and trust in God
Saint Anthony teaches us perseverance in prayer, humility before God, and confidence in divine mercy.
How to Pray This Novena
- Pray the novena for nine consecutive days.
- Clearly state your intention each day when indicated.
- Pray with faith, trust, and resignation to God’s will.
- If possible, pray in a quiet place and maintain a spirit of gratitude.
Below you will find the traditional novena prayers, prayed by Catholics for generations.
Traditional Novena to St. Anthony of Padua
Shorter Prayer
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!
Day One
O holy St. Anthony, gentlest of saints, your love for God and charity for his creatures made you worthy while on earth to possess miraculous powers. Miracles waited your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore you to obtain for me the favor I seek in this novena (State your intention). The answer to my prayer may require a miracle; even so, you are the saint of miracles.
O gentle and loving Saint Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms, and the gratitude of my heart will always be yours.
Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
Day Two
O miracle-working St. Anthony, remember that it never has been heard that you left without help or relief anyone who in his need had recourse to you. Animated now with the most lively confidence, even with full conviction of not being refused, I fly for refuge to you, O most favored friend of the Infant Jesus.
O eloquent preacher of the divine mercy, despise not my supplications but, bringing them before the throne of God, strengthen them by your intercession and obtain for me the favor I seek in this novena (State your intention).
Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
Day Three
O purest St. Anthony, who through your angelic virtue was made worthy to be caressed by the Divine Child Jesus, to hold Him in your arms and press Him to your heart, I entreat you to cast a benevolent glance upon me.
O glorious St. Anthony, born under the protection of Mary Immaculate, on the Feast of her Assumption into Heaven, and now so powerful an intercessor in Heaven, obtain for me the favor I ask in this novena (State your intention).
Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
Day Four
I salute and honor you, O powerful helper, St. Anthony. The Christian world confidently turns to you and experiences your tender compassion and powerful assistance in so many necessities and sufferings that I am encouraged in my need to seek your help.
O holy St. Anthony, obtain for me the grace that I desire (State your intention).
Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
Day Five
I salute you, St. Anthony, lily of purity, ornament and glory of Christianity, cherub of wisdom and seraph of divine love. In humility and confidence I entreat you to help me.
By the love you felt toward the Infant Jesus, whom you held in your arms, tell Him now of the favor I seek through your intercession in this novena (State your intention).
Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
Day Six
O glorious St. Anthony, chosen by God to preach His Word, you received from Him the gift of tongues and the power of working extraordinary miracles.
O kind St. Anthony, obtain for me the grace I desire and the favor I seek in this novena (State your intention).
Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
Day Seven
O renowned champion of the faith of Christ, most holy St. Anthony, glorious for your many miracles, obtain for me from the bounty of my Lord and God the grace which I ardently seek (State your intention).
Grant me the aid of your powerful intercession.
Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
Day Eight
O holy St. Anthony, you have shown yourself so powerful and compassionate toward those who honor and invoke you in suffering and distress.
Take me under your protection and obtain for me the favor I desire (State your intention). Recommend my request to the merciful Queen of Heaven.
Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
Day Nine
Saint Anthony, servant of Mary, glory of the Church, pray for our Holy Father, bishops, priests, and all Religious Orders.
Helper of all who invoke you, intercede for me before Almighty God that I may obtain the favor I so earnestly seek (State your intention).
Pray one Our Father, one Hail Mary, and Glory Be.
Saint Anthony, pray for us!
Closing Prayer
May the divine assistance remain always with us.
Amen.
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Amen.
O God, may the votive commemoration of blessed Anthony, your confessor, be a source of joy to your Church, that she may always be fortified with spiritual assistance and deserve eternal rewards. Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Feast of Saint Anthony of Padua is celebrated on June 13. Begin this novena on June 4, 2026 to finish right on his feast day.
When to Pray This Novena
- When something important is lost
- During moments of anxiety or distress
- In urgent or difficult situations
- At any time of the year, especially in the days leading up to his feast day, June 13.
- When seeking renewed faith and hope
Frequently Asked Questions
The novena is traditionally begun on June 4, nine days before the Feast of Saint Anthony on June 13. However, you can pray it at any time of year — Saint Anthony intercedes whenever you come to him with faith.
No. While Saint Anthony is famous as the finder of lost things, he is also powerfully invoked for impossible causes, urgent needs, the poor, pregnant women, and anyone in distress. His intercession covers far more than lost objects.
The Thirteen Tuesdays is a popular devotion in which Catholics pray to Saint Anthony on thirteen consecutive Tuesdays — Tuesday being the day of the week on which he died. Many faithful combine this devotion with the novena for deeper intercession.
Saint Anthony’s bread is a tradition of donating food or money to the poor in thanksgiving for a grace received through Saint Anthony’s intercession. It dates back to the 13th century and is still practiced by Catholics around the world today.
Related Catholic Devotions
- Saint Jude Prayer for Impossible Causes – for desperate and hopeless situations
- Catholic Prayer for Impossible Situations – when human effort isn’t enough
- Prayer to Padre Pio for Impossible Causes – another powerful intercessor for the impossible
- Novena to Saint Jude Thaddeus – nine days of prayer for urgent needs
- Prayer to Saint Rita for Impossible Causes – patroness of impossible cases
