Saint Anthony was born in Lisbon in about 1195. He was originally an Augustinian canon but became a Franciscan friar in 1220. He was a missionary in Morocco, and a hermit in Italy. He developed a gift for preaching and was given teaching posts in Italy and France.
He had a deep knowledge of the Bible and preached on the moral life and correct faith. In his lifetime he was called 'the hammer of heretics'. He died at Padua in north Italy in about 1231 and his shrine in the church of the Santo became a place of pilgrimage. In art he is usually shown holding a lily and carrying the child Jesus.