The foundational period was a very significant time within the Franciscan tradition. St Anthony was a significant figure in the early Franciscan movement. Not originally a Franciscan, St Anthony, an Augustinian Friar, was inspired by the examples of St Francis and the early martyrs. St Francis, himself, gave St Anthony the job of educating the Friars as long as it did not “extinguish their spirit of prayer”. There were several significant events that took place during the foundational period that have helped to shape Franciscanism, especially in the later years. St Anthony played a large part in this.
2.0 St Anthony’s Early life
St Anthony was born in 1195 to his parents Vincente Martins and Teresa Pais Taveria, he was their only child. His name at birth was Fernando and he was born into a very wealthy and prestigious family. In the year 1210, when Anthony was 15, he attended the community of Canons regular at the Augustinian abbey of St Vincent. He attended the school for two years and during his time he was constantly visited by his family and…show more content… The Franciscans had been preaching to Muslims in a mosque in Seville, they were almost martyred instantly. However, the sultan allowed the Franciscans to pass through to Morocco. Despite the warnings, the Franciscans continued to preach the word of the Lord in Morocco and for this the Franciscans were martyred.
The dedication and commitment the martyrs showed toward their faith greatly inspired Anthony. He was so moved by their passion that he went to the little friary in Coimbra and asked the friars if he could be sent to the land of the Saracens. After some challenges from the prior of the Augustinians, Anthony was eventually allowed to leave and join the Franciscan movement. In the friary he was given the name Anthony.
