13-Tuesdays Novena to St. Anthony 2026: The Saints of the Franciscan Family

On this thirteenth and final Tuesday before the great Feast Day on June 13, let us reflect on the call to holiness in our daily lives. As Pope Francis has often reminded us: " Saints are not only the solemn figures we venerate on the altars; they are also the “saints next door.” They are our family members, our grandparents, the good people who have passed on an authentic faith to us. Through small gestures of care and love, each of us can write a new page of the Gospel every day.
Together we pray: " Let us thank the Lord for these witnesses and prepare our hearts to celebrate our beloved St. Anthony on June 13, the day of his feast! Amen. "

Let us entrust to St. Anthony our hope for peace in the world!

St. Giuseppe Moscati.
In this twelfth Tuesday reflection, fr. Andrea Massarin introduces us to St. Giuseppe Moscati, the “doctor of the poor,” who was able to unite faith and science in the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi. Through his example, we discover the beauty of a holiness lived out through work and daily service, caring not only for the body but also for the soul of those who suffer.

Like St. Anthony of Padua, who cares for the body and spirit of all who turn to him and ask for his intercession, Moscati also drew close to the poorest and most forgotten. He reminds us that each one of us is called to become a gift for others.

Let us entrust to St. Anthony of Padua all the sick and all those who lovingly care for them!

Peace and All Good

Saint Joseph Benedict Cottolengo also desired that his life be guided by the example of Saint Francis of Assisi, becoming a Franciscan Tertiary. His life changed forever on September 2, 1827. Faced with the suffering of a young mother who had been turned away by hospitals, Father Joseph felt called to draw near to the poorest and most forgotten, founding the “Little House of Divine Providence.” Through his work, he embodied the promise of the Gospel: “Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be given to you besides.” His story invites us to place our complete trust in Divine Providence and to care for the weakest among us.

Let us entrust to Saint Anthony of Padua the hope for peace in our world!

Peace and All Good.

May 19: St. Clare of Assisi

On this tenth Tuesday, fr. Fabio Scarsato introduces us to St. Clare of Assisi. Clare, who loved to describe herself as the humble “little plant” nurtured and guided by St. Francis of Assisi, teaches us that in order to receive the gifts of the Lord, we must make room in our hearts, emptying ourselves like a bowl ready to be filled.

Despite the hardships of her time, Clare became as strong as an oak tree, reminding us that true poverty is a privilege that makes us free to love. From her we learn to seek that deep peace which allows us to dwell in God and to live joyfully the beauty of fraternity.

Let us entrust to St. Anthony of Padua the hope for peace in our world!

Peace and All Good

On this ninth Tuesday, Father Massimiliano Patassini introduces us to the figure of St. Thomas More. A great statesman and Franciscan tertiary, he was able to combine his public service with an immense love for his family, raising his children with a modernity that was surprising for his time.
His witness shines for his unwavering fidelity to the Pope and the Church, defended at the cost of his life.
Let us also ask, with the words of his famous prayer, “a soul that knows no boredom and the grace never to put ourselves at the center of everything, so that we may serve God with joy.”

Let us entrust to Saint Anthony our hope for peace in our world!

Peace and Good.

On this eighth Tuesday, Fr. Antonio Ramina introduces us to St. John XXIII, a Pope who made simplicity and kindness the defining characteristics of his pastoral ministry.
With the encyclical “Pacem in Terris,” written during a particularly difficult moment in world history, Pope John XXIII reminded us that peace is a journey that engages all men and women of good will.
He spoke of a “vigilant kindness,” that is, the ability to look upon one’s neighbor not with the severity of judgment, but with the gentleness of forgiveness.
Let us learn from Pope John XXIII to approach others with a humble heart and a welcoming smile.
Let us entrust to Saint Anthony our hope for peace in our world!
Peace and Good.

On this seventh Tuesday, fr. Alessandro Perissinotto introduces us to St. Elizabeth of Hungary. Widowed at a young age and inspired by the example of St. Francis, she chose to live in poverty out of love for the poor and the sick, and helped establish one of the first hospitals of the Middle Ages. Her story teaches us that each of us, following the example of St. Anthony as well, can transform the society in which we live, making it a better place.

Let us entrust to St. Anthony our hope for peace in our world!

Peace and Good

In this video, Father Andrea Vaona introduces St. John Bosco, a great friend of young people, inspired by the charism of St. Francis.

Today, he reminds us that through education and love, every heart can return to God. In this time of great change, let us rediscover with him hope and a renewed commitment to future generations.

Let us entrust our hope for peace in the world to St. Anthony!

Peace and all good.

On this fifth Tuesday, fr. Giancarlo Paris introduces us to Elisabetta Vendramini, a young woman who, following the spirit of St. Francis of Assisi, chose a life of poverty and service to those most in need—particulary through the education and formation of young people.
In a difficult time like ours, marked by an educational crisis, Elisabetta teaches us that a young person’s life is a gift that can flourish only when someone truly cares for it.
Let us commit ourselves, within our families, to guiding our children in rediscovering the beauty of the Gospel.

We entrust to Saint Anthony the hope for peace in our world!
Peace and Good

Fr. Giorgio Laggioni introduces us to Brother Michele and Brother Zbigniew, two young Polish Conventual Franciscan friars who were killed out of hatred for their faith on August 9, 1991, in Pariacoto, Peru, by the Maoist terrorist group “Shining Path.”

Fully aware of the dangers they faced, they refused to abandon the poor among whom they lived. Their lives show us how important it is to remain faithful to the plan of love that Jesus entrusts to each of us.

At the end of his life, St. Francis tells us: “I have done my part; may Jesus teach you yours!”
Pope Leo XIV himself presented them as a sign of “unarmed hope” for our world in need of peace.

Let us entrust our hopes for peace in the world to Saint Anthony.

A deep bond unites St. Francis and St. Anthony: a love for Jesus made flesh, a passion for the Gospel, and a commitment to becoming poor with the poor. The life of St. Anthony finds its fullest expression in his encounter with the charism of Francis.

Fr. Antonio Bertazzo invites us to reflect on the final days of the earthly life of our beloved St. Anthony. He spent his last days in Camposampiero until June 13, 1231, when, upon arriving in Arcella, he bid farewell to his brothers with words that speak of heaven: “I see my Lord.”

We ask the Saint to continue guiding us on our journey.

Father Fabio Turrisendo invites us to discover the “fire” that ignited the heart of Saint Francis: the encounter with a God who, though the Most High, makes himself small and humble out of love for us. St Francis teaches us to look at the world with new eyes, recognizing every creature—from the sun to the moon, from water to fire—as a sister or a brother. Let us be amazed by the beauty of creation so that we may rediscover the joy of praising the Lord and the strength to care for all that surrounds us as grateful stewards.

Let us continue to pray together for peace!

Peace and all Good

This year we dedicate the “13 Tuesdays” to the Saints of the Franciscan family. On the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis, each meeting will be an encounter with saints who, like St. Anthony, lived the Gospel following the example of St. Francis of Assisi. It will also be an opportunity to give thanks for the dear people in our lives, witnesses of love and charity.

The first video meditation is presented by Fr. Giancarlo Zamengo, OFM Conv, General Director of The Messenger of Saint Anthony.

A good journey… together toward the Feast of Saint Anthony on June 13!

Every Tuesday at 6 pm CET it will be possible to follow the live streaming of the Holy Mass and the 13 Tuesdays Novena prayer from the Basilica of St. Anthony on our Facebook page.