St. Anthony, the Finder of Lost Objects 

by Hovik

We all have times within our day to day actions where we run into the question of “Where is my (lost object)?” It can be really hard to function when things are constantly going missing in your life. We all have many simple tricks and practices we use to help us find things. Some folks use the retrace your steps method, others speak out loud all the places and things they have done so far to try and jog their memory, and others as I am known to do, frantically scramble around like a chicken with its had cut off cursing the gods as I flip over an entire room looking for something. As a witch, I have a few tools at my disposal in those chaos moments to give some clarity or seek divine intervention (because trust me, finding my keys is paramount to the universe not falling apart). One such method that has continuously been a quick rapid result is a rhyme to Saint Anthony. I don’t work with Saints too often, but this guy is definitely in my bag of tricks. I learned of his talents working at the shop with the lovely Monica. She is a fantastic lady and great witch, but she as all of us is human and will occasionally misplace something. I heard her mumble to herself some short rhyme as she was looking for her phone at the time. Within a matter of minutes, she found her phone where it was and happily grinned as her prayer was answered. I asked her when she was free what exactly she had done and she told me very plainly, “I asked Saint Anthony of course.” “he’s the finder of lost things you know.” Tickled by her strong stance, I decided the next time I lost something I would give him a try. Weeks passed, and hadn’t lost anything to seek out. I was with a friend of mine doing some gardening when we needed to head to the nursery to pick up more dirt. She fiddled around in her pockets and found her car keys, but no house keys to speak of. She frantically began digging through her pockets and purse to find them. To no avail, she turned to me and asked me to help. I began searching with her all while chanting the rhyme Monica had taught me to Saint Anthony. Within a matter of moments, we not only found her house keys, but also a set of old keys to her parent’s place. I smiled and we continued our day without losing anything else. I have since used this lovely little charm on many occasions both for myself as well as friends and family. He comes through every single time without fail and at very rapid response. I am very fond of many other forms of item location most of which are pretty useful and do of course work. As cunning folk working in very busy times, it’s nice to have quick one that is efficient and gets it done quick and dirty.

Saint Anthony was a catholic priest and friar of the Franciscan order born in Lisbon Portugal. He was very devout in his path, he had an undying love and devotion to the poor and to the sick. He was the second-most-quickly canonized saint after Peter of Verona. He of course holds the title patron saint of finding lost things or people. One story that gives us some insight into how Saint Anthony became the saint of finding lost objects is a story about a novice. A novice who had already grown tired of living religious life decided to depart the community. Besides going AWOL he also took Anthony’s psalter! Upon realizing his psalter was missing, Anthony prayed it would be found or returned to him. And after his prayer the thieving novice was moved to return the psalter to Anthony and to return to the Order, which accepted him back.  

The simple chant I learned from Monica for Saint Anthony is as follows:

“Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony. Look around there is something lost that must be found. [Say what needs to be found three times]. Thank you Saint Anthony.”

Here is a more catholic version you can also use:

“O blessed St. Anthony,
the grace of God has made you a powerful advocate
in all our needs and the patron
for the restoring of things lost or stolen.
I turn to you today with childlike love and deep confidence.
You have helped countless children of God
to find the things they have lost,
material things, and, more importantly,
the things of the spirit: faith, hope, and love.
I come to you with confidence;
help me in my present need.
I recommend what I have lost to your care,
in the hope that God will restore it to me,
if it is His holy Will.

Amen.”

An altar for St. Anthony should have a loaf of bread for an offering, a picture of the saint as well as a brown, yellow, or white candle. Keep it simple and sweet and he will always answer your call.