Gospel in Art: Saint Antony of Padua, Priest, Doctor

St Anthony Preaching to the Fishes by Edouard Jerôme Paupion, 1898 © Alamy / Museum of Fine Arts and Archaeology, Besançon, France

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 13 June 2025
Matthew 5:27-32

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, 'You have heard that it was said, "You shall not commit adultery." But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

'It was also said, "Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce." But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of sexual immorality, makes her commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.'

Reflection on the painting

Saint Antony of Padua, born Fernando Martins de Bulhões in 1195 in Lisbon, Portugal, was a Franciscan friar, preacher, and theologian. Originally an Augustinian canon, he joined the Franciscan Order in 1220, inspired by the martyrdom of five Franciscan missionaries in Morocco. Driven by a longing to preach the Gospel to the Saracens and attain martyrdom, Anthony set sail for Morocco, but divine providence had other plans. He fell seriously ill and was forced to return home, yet his ship was blown off course and he found himself in Sicily. Unable to continue his missionary ambitions due to poor health, he instead devoted himself to teaching theology in Bologna and in several cities across southern France, including Montpellier, Toulouse, and Puy-en-Velay. Renowned for his clarity, depth, and humility, he became one of the most beloved preachers of his time. He died in 1231 en route to Padua, where he is now buried, and was canonised less than a year later by Pope Gregory IX. In 1946, Pope Pius XII declared him a Doctor of the Church, recognising the enduring value of his spiritual teachings.

Among the many miracles and legends surrounding Saint Antony, one of the most well-known is the episode of his sermon to the fish. This took place in Rimini, where the local population had grown indifferent, even hostile, to the Christian faith. Faced with hardened hearts, Anthony walked to the shoreline and began to preach to the sea. As if summoned by heaven itself, multitudes of fish appeared, lifting their heads from the water and seemingly listening with attention and reverence. Anthony praised them for their obedience to the Creator, contrasting their response with the spiritual deafness of the people. The sight moved many onlookers to repentance and conversion. This miracle became a symbol of Anthony's zeal and authority; a preacher whose message, even when rejected by man, could stir the very elements of creation to praise God.

Our painting by Edouard Jerôme Paupion, painted in 1898, depicts the saint sitting at the of his boat preaching to the fish. we see the artist's name painted on the side of the boat. Born in Poitiers, Paupion trained at the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he studied under Jean-Léon Gérôme, one of the leading academic painters of the 19th century. He exhibited regularly at the Salon des Artistes Français, earning critical recognition for his mastery of composition and narrative realism. He portrays the saint with one hand pointing toward heaven and the other gesturing to the fish, as if to say to his human audience: be like these fish: attentive, obedient, and receptive to the Word of God. Note the two small frogs at the bottom of the painting.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-5-27-32-2025/ (with audio)

See also: Video - The Mystery of Pentecost in Music - Tallis and the sound of the Holy Spirit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=LobvcLTgfE8