Looking for some spiritual reading during Lent? Might I suggest the complete Opus Evangeliorum of Saint Anthony of Padua? Paul Spilsbury has translated St Anthony’s major work into four English volumes (go here to read Paul Splisbury describe the background in which they arose). While they are said to be “sermons,” they might be better seen as notes for sermons, commentary material which suggest different ways one can engage the Biblical material for a given week (based, of course, on a different liturgical reading cycle than currently found in the West).
Reading the material, one will get a sense of Anthony’s love for allegory, something which we find lacking in many modern readings of Scripture. Moral lessons are also important for Anthony, with the concern he had for the needs of the poor evident throughout the texts. Clergy and laity alike find themselves challenged by Anthony, though it is clear the clergy bear the blunt of Anthony’s concern because they are the ones who are called to preach the Gospel, not just by words, but by example.
For each text, St Anthony offers several different interpretations, each worthy of a sermon in and of itself. Though this style is unusual, it is also helpful, for it makes sure one can get several different ideas out of each text. It might take some time to get used to Anthony’s style, but it is well worth the effort.
To order the books in the United States, you can order them from:
The Franciscan Friars of the Anthonian Association
& the Messenger of St Anthony
101 Anthony Drive
Mt St Francis, IN 47146
Ph: (812) 923-6356
Fax: (812) 923-3200
For more information, you can write the Anthonian Associatoion: [email protected]
The price, in the United States, for one (1) volume of Saint Anthony’s Sermons for Sundays and Festivals (S&H included) is $32, for two (2) volumes is $55, and for all four (4) volumes is $96.
If you are not in the US, you should look here, and find out who you should contact to get the volumes.
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