NEW YORK — Devotions to honor St. Anthony are being held at St. Francis of Assisi Church on West 31st Street and at St. Stephen of Hungary Church on East 82nd Street here. Both parishes offer the 13-week devotions through mid-June.
The devotion at St. Francis, titled “Let us Go to the Feast: 13 Tuesdays with St. Anthony of Padua,” runs from March 18 through June 10 in anticipation of the feast of St. Anthony on June 13. Russell Becker, OFM, director of the Province’s Franciscan Missionary Union, and Anthony LoGalbo, OFM, Director of Spiritual Direction at St. Francis of Assisi Church, offer reflections at five Masses each week.
St. Stephen Church is offering the novenas at the 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Masses.
The devotion at St. Stephen are organized by parishioner Marie Gammello. “We all know St. Anthony as the patron saint of lost articles,” she said. “We don’t always remember that he brought hope and comfort to the needy and the marginalized people of his time. Have times really changed? We need his help just as much now.”
Many other Province ministries are also observing the Thirteen Tuesdays. Information about other traditions involving St. Anthony will appear in the summer issue of The Anthonian.