The stories of the Saints have much to teach us. They were ordinary people who heard the call of God and chose to follow Him.

St. Anthony first heard God’s call to the Augustinian Order, where he devoted eight years to prayer and study. But when the relics of the first Franciscan martyrs came to his monastery, he felt called to follow the way of St. Francis. He set out for Morocco, hoping to become a martyr for Christ, but illness prevented him from reaching his destination. On his journey home, his ship was blown off course and landed in Sicily. In 1222, he was unexpectedly called upon to preach, and those who heard him immediately recognized his extraordinary gifts.

St. Francis gave Anthony permission to teach the new friars, and he would eventually become the Franciscan Order’s first theologian. In time, he became renowned as a preacher, teacher, and worker of miracles.

What can we learn from St. Anthony’s story? That God often leads us in ways we do not expect. Anthony planned to bring the Gospel to the people of North Africa. Instead, God called him to become one of the Church’s greatest preachers and teachers. Anthony listened with humility and trusted God’s plan, embracing each new opportunity that came his way.

Not everyone is called to religious life or to travel as a missionary. But every one of us is called to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. A smile, a kind word, or a helping hand can all become acts of evangelization. Like St. Anthony, we are also called to grow in our faith. Reading Scripture, studying the Catechism, and listening to faithful Catholic podcasts are all wonderful ways to deepen our understanding of Christ and prepare us to share that faith with others.

Perhaps during these summer days, we can spend some time growing in our faith and looking for simple opportunities to share it in both word and deed.