After a wonderful celebration on Sunday afternoon, pupils from across the school continued to learn about the life of St Antony of Padua and the importance of his intercession in the founding of our school. Our Head reminded us of our foundresses’ story; two women, Elizabeth and Ivy, who had lost their teaching jobs and wandered into the Church of St Antony of Padua in Rye. They were greeted by a Franciscan priest who reminded them that St Antony was the Patron Saint of lost things and perhaps wandering into this church and the intersession of St Anthony would help them find what they had lost. With divine intervention, the women were inspired to set up a Catholic Private School in Oxford, and after a letter to the Archbishop of Birmingham, Thomas Leighton Williams, permission was granted, and Rye St Antony school was founded.
St Antony Day
Mrs Walsh told us about the life of St Antony, and how he became the Patron Saint of lost causes. Here are some of the reflections from Year 7 Pupils about the inspiration St Antony is to them.
St Antony inspires me because…
“He devoted his life to God putting aside distractions and this teaches me that God should be
at the top of our priority list” Abigail
“Saints are important because they inspire others to follow their example” Katie
“Saints help us in our hour of need” Kalsoom
“He moved far away to focus on his faith” Maeve
“He was very independent like the students at Rye” Asia
“He wanted to go on a dangerous holy journey” Dana
“He preached so well at such a young age” Bea
“he is the Saint of lost things and helps people find what they are looking for” Aroush
“when he lost something precious to him, he prayed, and it was returned” Katie
“when he finds things that are lost to others he performed miracles all the time” Devon
“he encourages people to find their lost faith” Peace
“he helped Elizabeth and Ivy to find their calling and to find our Rye St Antony” Abigail
Thank you, St Antony.
