St. Anthony of Padua is widely known as the patron saint of lost things, but he was also a gifted preacher and a strong defender of the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
According to a longstanding tradition, St. Anthony once encountered a man who refused to believe that Christ is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament. The man challenged the saint to prove the Church’s teaching through a public test.
He would keep his mule from eating for three days. Afterward, he would bring the hungry animal into the town square and place food before it. At the same time, St. Anthony would approach carrying the Blessed Sacrament. If the mule turned away from the food and knelt before the Eucharist, the man promised to believe.
St. Anthony accepted the challenge.
After three days, a crowd gathered to witness what would happen. Food was placed before the hungry mule, and St. Anthony approached reverently with the Blessed Sacrament.
The mule did not eat. Instead, it turned toward St. Anthony, approached the Eucharist, and bent its knees in reverence.
Seeing this, the man professed his belief in the Real Presence and was reconciled to the Church.
The story of St. Anthony’s mule has been passed down for centuries as a witness to the Catholic faith that Jesus Christ is truly present, Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity, in the Holy Eucharist.
At every Mass, we come before that same Eucharistic Lord. We genuflect before the tabernacle, kneel during the Consecration, and approach the altar to receive Him in Holy Communion. May we always approach and receive with reverence, trust, and faith like St. Anthony!
Eucharistic Adoration is an amazing opportunity to spend time with Our Lord and to acknowledge the truth about the Eucharist. The Holy Hour helps us to pray and focus during Adoration. Purchase your copy today at The Catholic Company!
