About Us
The Companions of St. Anthony is a ministry of the Our Lady of the Angels Province of Franciscan Friars Conventual. We invite others to support the friars in their ministry of serving the people of God in all walks of life. St. Anthony of Padua inspires us to live holy lives through the way we pray, give alms, engage with Scripture, and serve the poor and marginalized.
Friars and laity accompanying one another on their spiritual journey.
Since the founding of the Franciscan Order more than 800 years ago, Franciscans have always ministered to and with lay people in their community. Whether it is with their prayers, their volunteer assistance, or their financial support, laity have been invaluable to the work of the friars wherever they minister. At the same time, Friars hold lay companions and their petitions in prayer, seeking St. Anthony’s intercession for their needs. Today, this companionship is an integral part of the Franciscan community.
As an early follower of St. Francis of Assisi and the first scholar of the Order, St. Anthony of Padua brought his knowledge and love for Scripture to the Franciscans. It is because of this commitment to studying Scripture that Companions of St. Anthony are invited to engage routinely with the Word of God, accompanied by our Friars. Daily reflections and weekly Sunday homilies, as well as seasonal reflections and novenas are offered by our Friars, inviting Companions to routinely hear and connect with God through Scripture.
St. Anthony was known for saying that our words should teach, and our actions speak. Through our love and reflection on Scripture and our ministries of service, we continue to follow St. Anthony’s call. As a Companion of St. Anthony, you are truly part of a community striving for the common good and jointly praying daily for the work and ministry of Franciscans around the world.
Become a Companion
Our Patron
St. Anthony of Padua is truly a universal saint, respected and venerated even by non-Christians. He is especially known as the patron saint of the lost, for all throughout his life he restored things back to people who had lost them. For some, it was their health, for others, their hope and faith. Today, as in the 13th century, we call out, "St. Anthony, pray for us!"
Our Friars
The Companions of St. Anthony is a ministry of the Franciscan Friars Conventual of Our Lady of the Angels Province. Friars and dedicated lay staff minister to the poor and marginalized, teach and evangelize, offer spiritual direction and counseling, and operate historic sites up and down the East Coast of the U.S.
Our Shrine
The home of the Companions of St. Anthony is the Shrine of St. Anthony, located in scenic Ellicott City, Maryland. The chapel is open daily with opportunity to venerate our first-class relic of our patron, gifted to the friars from Padua in 1995. The Shrine hosts several events (many are livestreamed on our YouTube page) for Companions and the local community. Intentions of the Companions are remembered daily at Mass at the Shrine.
Do you want to have everything? Give all of yourself to God and God will give all of Himself to you. Thus, not having anything of yourself, you will totally possess God and yourself in Him.