Rest and relaxation

St Antony of Padua. Saturday 13th June, 2020

For various reasons I had to telephone the District Nurses yesterday. They came within an hour, sorted me out as best they could and with efficiency, kindness and professionalism, then gave me advice, ordered a prescription through the local medical practice, left me with necessaries and with telephone numbers I might need and left with a cheery positive word or two. They ordered me to rest so I write this lying in bed. I feel incredibly well, better than for ages. Perhaps foolishly yesterday evening I sorted out my steeping elder flower cordial by straining it and lifting the vats of blossoms and lemons, sugar and water through muslin...6 bottles of it and just the taste I love. Then a little television and supper and to bed. I slept well but this morning realised I had over done things last evening.

I woke at 7am, streamed a Catholic Mass from Blackfriars in Oxford and therein realised it was the feast day of St Antony of Padua. I listened to a sermon as to the point of canonised Saints in the Christian tradition. Veneration, imitation and intercession were the purpose of the process of canonisation, of setting before us persons the Church claimed were in heaven. The sermoniser told us to pray for miracles.

I recalled my Mother's devotion to St Antony and her often gleeful triumph as she proclaimed his marvellous workings and handed over the promised cash to a Charity with which she had 'bribed' him. Her son's proclaimed St Antony's corruption, abuse and manipulation as he demanded, so my Mother said, a little self denial on the seeker's side for his miracles. Mainly he found lost essentials: car keys, a diary, a misplaced gift or shopping list. If he were asked to find something less essential the self sacrifice meant a larger donation to the Charity. So a lost earring or perfume bottle found came at a greater cost. If he had not found what Mama had lost she would 'up the bribe'. Over the years the bribes ( or offerings to use my Mother's word) kept pace with inflation. Very rarely did he fail but when he did my Mama would say it was ' a lesson to her' but she would withhold the offering: a tit-for-tat friendship!

I have caught my Mother's enthusiasm and faith. St Antony seems not to be quite such a dependable finder of the lost in my case but I am not such a generous donor as my Mama. Nowadays I also ask her to help out. Yet I have little doubt that St Antony has interceded for me and been at work. The sermon today suggested that he is probably the most sought after and recognised Saint in the Christian tradition. Certainly his life was remarkable and he is venerated and imitated by millions of people. I know several people personally who swear by him and had an email today wishing me a happy feast day and saying that as the sender of the email got older and more forgetful so she was ever more indebted to and needful of St Antony.

I shall ask him to help and to intercede with regard to my minor medical condition. My problem is to discover how much the 'offering' (note that I do not write 'bribe' as I do not wish to upset the Saint ) should be. Perhaps I need the advice of the Banco di Spiritual Sancto.