St Anthony Prayer

“Let not your heart be troubled. Turn to St. Anthony—he is a friend of the poor and finder of the lost.” – St. Bonaventure

The Prayer

O Holy St. Anthony, gentle and powerful in your help, your heart was always full of sympathy, always ready to help in trouble. You were the counselor of the confused, the comforter of the troubled, the haven of the lost. I come to you with confidence in my time of need. Help me to find what I have lost. Speak on my behalf to the Child Jesus, to whom you held so close. Restore peace and order to my anxious mind. Amen.

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About This Prayer

The St Anthony Prayer is one of the most beloved Catholic devotions, especially when someone has lost something important—whether an object, a memory, or even peace of heart. St. Anthony of Padua, a Franciscan friar and Doctor of the Church, is known as the Patron Saint of Lost Things because of many miraculous accounts of him helping people recover what they had lost. This short but powerful prayer appeals to St. Anthony’s compassion and closeness to Christ. Catholics turn to him with confidence, trusting his intercession to bring resolution, clarity, and comfort. It’s a prayer that combines humility, faith, and a sense of hope, especially when life feels scattered or uncertain.

When To Pray

You can pray the St. Anthony Prayer anytime you’ve lost something—a physical object, a relationship, direction in life, or even peace of mind. It’s often prayed immediately after misplacing something or when you’re feeling desperate for divine help in finding what’s been lost.