In the year 596, on the Isle of Thanet, just off the coast of Kent in southern England, a strange procession made its way from the small church on the island to where the King of Kent sat under an oak tree, afraid that these strange messengers might be magicians to do him harm. The priest who approached him – dressed in the ceremonial vestments of a priest, with acolytes carrying a silver cross and a deacon holding high an icon of Christ the Lord – was St. Augustine of Canterbury, a monk of St. Andrews on the Coelian Hill in Rome.
Accompanied by thirty monks, Augustine had come at the express command of Pope Gregory the Great to evangelize the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of Britain and to restore the ancient Roman discipline to the island, based on the provincial structure of Roman Britain.
He had been ordered to set up his see in London, but the headquarters of the King of Kent was Canterbury, and so Canterbury became the primatial see of England and remains so to this day. Within the year, Augustine had converted the King of Kent, whose wife was a Christian princess from Gaul, and very painfully and slowly began the work of restoring Christianity to Britain. There were bishops present already, successors to the Celtic bishops of Roman Britain, but the Anglo-Saxons were their hated enemies who had conquered their country and driven them from their homes and cities. Augustine's task was beset with discouragement and almost insurmountable obstacles and he lasted less than ten years in his difficult mission.
Soon after his arrival, Augustine went to Arles in France, the prefectural headquarters to be consecrated bishop and came back and consecrated bishops for London and Rochester, capitals of two kingdoms closely allied with Kent. He died in 605 and was buried in the monastery of Saints Peter and Paul in Canterbury.
5.45 pm - Adoration with Blessed Sacrament exposed.
6.15 pm - Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
6.30 pm - Litany and prayers to St. Antony.
6.45 pm - Bilingual English-French mass.
7.30 pm - Tamil high mass.
St. Antony of Padua
There is a devotion to Saint Antony of Padua each Tuesday evening at 6:00 at Saint Augustine of Canterbury Parish. The picture of Saint Antony is used for our St. Antony of Padua devotion on Tuesdays.
A statue of Saint Antony has a prominent place in the choir in the Notre Dame de Grace Church.
Who was St. Antony of Padua?
Antony was born 15 August 1195 and raised by a wealthy family in Lisbon, Portugal, and died in Padua, Italy 13 June 1231. Noted by his contemporaries for his powerful preaching, expert knowledge of scripture, and undying love and devotion to the poor and the sick, he was one of the most quickly canonized saints in church history, being canonized less than a year after his death.
He was proclaimed a Doctor of the Church by Pope Pius XII on 16 January 1946.
The feast of Saint Antony of Padua is celebrated on June 13 th , and he is honored as a powerful exorcist, as one who drives away evil spirits in Jesus’ name. He is also considered the patron saint of lost articles. Because of that he is known as St. Antony of inner peace. Tradition has it that for thirteen Tuesdays leading to his feast, along with the Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, his ‘novena’ prayer is recited by the faithful.
Saint Antony is often depicted holding the Child Jesus, a portrayal inspired by an account of a friar who reportedly saw Antony in deep prayer, conversing with the Christ Child. Sacred Scripture is also frequently featured in art as a symbol of his profound knowledge of Scripture. Lilies, signifying his poverty and chastity, are present in many depictions.
Although Saint Antony lived just thirty-five years, God used him in powerful ways. His life bears testament to the idea that the quality of life supersedes its length. Let us strive to imbue our lives with a quality that will far surpass mere longevity.
Prayer to St. Antony of Padua
Blessed Antony, gentle and powerful saint, your love for God and your charity toward his creatures, have made you worthy, while on earth, to possess miraculous powers. Comforted in my faith, I implore you to obtain for me the favors I now ask of you (…pause…) (…mention your intentions…).
Saint Antony, perfect imitator of Christ, you who have received from God special powers, to come to the aid of those who implore you, restore to us the peace and the tranquility of mind, which we are deprived of, and which afflicts us even more, than any other material loss. May we always remain in possession of the greatest good, which is God. May we never suffer, the loss of the greatest treasure we possess: God’s presence in our lives.
We make this prayer, turning to Christ the Lord, whom you bore in your hands, and who lives and reigns with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. – Amen.
- Our Father.
- Hail Mary.
- Glory be to the Father
About
St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish
St. Augustine of Canterbury Parish is a Roman Catholic community situated in the Notre-Dame-de-Grace (NDG) neighbourhood of Montreal, Canada. We currently worship in the church of Notre-Dame-de-Grace, home to an active French-speaking community.
We are only
two blocks south down Decarie Boulevard from the Villa Maria Metro. Please join us for Mass on Sunday, Thursday
and Friday mornings to pray and sing (with our wonderful choir on Sundays).
Fr Tibu Fernandez (Liturgy and Baptismal Committee)
Patrick Beirouti (Children's Catechism)
Suzanne Kunicki (Lectors and Family Life Development)
Nicole-Ann Menezes (Altar Servers and Website Admin)
Olivier Hebert-Bouchard (Choir Master)
Gail Goodfellow (Social Justice)
James Bouchard (Responsible Pastoral Ministry)
PARISH MUSIC MINISTRY
Choir master - Olivier Hebert-Bouchard
The
choir supports Sunday Masses as well as feast days and special occasions. It is often cited as a feature of St.
Augustine that draws people to the Parish.
COMMUNITY LIFE
Faith sharing activities are often run in the Bell Tower after Mass.
Advent and Lent educational sessions help to broaden the understanding of the Roman Catholic faith.
Fundraising for various community needs takes place throughout the year.
Christmas caroling is a fun activity that is organized each year just before the holidays.
The Bell Tower facilities are made available to various community nonprofit groups.
