St. Anthony Prayer for Lost Things

St. Anthony of Padua is the patron saint of lost things — and the saint most widely invoked in everyday Catholic life. His prayer for the recovery of lost items is one of the most commonly prayed Catholic prayers in the world, often passed down through families and prayed instinctively whenever something goes missing.

About St. Anthony of Padua

St. Anthony of Padua (1195–1231) was a Portuguese Franciscan friar who became one of the greatest preachers in Church history. Born in Lisbon, he joined the Augustinians before transferring to the Franciscans in 1220, inspired by the martyrdom of five Franciscan missionaries in Morocco. He met St. Francis of Assisi personally. He preached throughout northern Italy and France, drawing crowds so large that churches could not contain them and he preached in public squares. He died at age 35 and was canonized less than a year after his death — one of the fastest canonizations in Church history. He was declared a Doctor of the Church in 1946. His feast day is June 13.

His association with lost things comes from an account in which a novice stole Anthony's psalter and left the Franciscans, only to be compelled by a terrifying vision to return it. This story, combined with Anthony's general reputation as a finder and restorer, established him as the patron of lost items across the Catholic world.

The Traditional Rhyming Prayer

The most widely known prayer to St. Anthony for lost items is a short rhyming verse that has been passed down through generations: Tony, Tony, look around — something's lost and must be found. While informal, this prayer reflects the deep affection Catholics have for Anthony and the confidence they place in his intercession.