Have you ever heard the story of Saint Anthony’s Miracle of the Mule?
June 13 is the Church’s memorial of the miraculous Saint Anthony of Padua, patron saint of lost items, the poor, and travelers.
The Catholic Church attributes many miracles to this 13th-century saint, one of which proved the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist to a heretic.
Saint Anthony fought and taught against heresies, including the Cathar heresy, which denied Christ’s Real Presence in the Eucharist. Toulouse, France, was the central point of this heresy, and St. Anthony participated in multiple public debates against it.
During one debate, a man named Bononillo challenged St. Anthony’s belief in the Eucharistic presence.
Bononillo said,
“If you can make my mule bow down before what you call the Body of Christ, I will believe.”
St. Anthony tried to convince him in other ways but saw no other option.
Bononillo then decided to starve his mule for three days.
On the third day, St. Anthony celebrated Mass in the city’s public square. After Mass, Bononillo went before St. Anthony and offered his mule food, while St. Anthony carried a consecrated host.
St. Anthony said, “Mule! Come here and show reverence to your Creator!”
St. Anthony held up the Eucharistic host, and
