What Did St. Anthony Preach to Fishes?

What Did St. Anthony Preach to Fishes?

St. Anthony of Padua is a great saint and a wonder worker. He performed many miracles and preached to people about God. He also preached fishes at sea shore. What did St. Anthony preach to fishes?

This is the miracle story of St. Anthony, preaching to fishes about God and of His love.

To know more about St. Anthony:

Read: St. Anthony Preached To Fishes, Is It Possible?

Read: How St. Anthony Received Powers To Perform Miracles?

St. Anthony Preached to Fishes

In this way, Saint Anthony traveled to Rimini, where a great number of heretics lived. He wished to bring them back to the way of virtue and to the light of the true faith. He preached to them for many days. He debated with them about the sacred scriptures; and about their lack of faith in Jesus. But as a stubborn people with hard hearts, they refused to listen.

So by divine inspiration, Saint Anthony walked down the shore which was battered by the sea. He stood on the shoreline between the sea and the river. And he spoke to the fish like a preacher who was sent by God himself. Saint Anthony said: “All of you fishes of the sea and the river! Listen to the Word of God, especially since the unbelievers refuse to hear it!” When he said these words, a vast number of fish swam over to be near him. All of the fish held their heads high above the water. They looked attentively upon the face of the saint; and they saw his abiding peace, gentleness, and serenity.

No one had ever seen so many fish along these shores. They came in all shapes and sizes; and they arranged themselves in order. The smallest fish came closest to him. Behind them were the fish of moderate size. And behind them, in the deepest waters, were the largest fish.

Saint Anthony preached to them with great sincerity: “Brother and sister fishes, you are honor bound to give thanks to the Creator for giving you the sea and the river, such noble dwellings in which to live. God has given you fresh water and salted water. He has given you safe places of refuge in which to escape the tempest. He has given you clear waters through which you can the food that he has given you to eat, so that you may live.”

“Your Creator was kind and courteous when he made you. He commanded to multiply. He gave you his blessing. During the great flood, all other creatures perished, but God save you without injury. God also gave you fins so that you can go wherever you want, so that you can live wherever you wish.”

“By his command, you preserved the life of Jonah the Prophet; and on the third day, you delivered him upon the dry land safe and sound. You offered up the tribute money to the Lord Jesus Christ which he could not pay because he was too poor. And by reason of a divine mystery, you were the food for Christ, our Eternal King, both before and after his resurrection. For these reasons, you should praise and thank God who has blessed you more than all other creatures.”

At these words and others like them, the fish of the sea and the fish of the river bowed their heads and opened their mouths. Along with other signs of reverence, they gave praise and thanks to God. Saint Anthony saw their reverence. He rejoiced in spirit. And he cried out: “Blessed be the Eternal God because the fishes of these waters honor him more than the unbelieving people! Such creatures, born without reason, hear God’s Word more willingly than these unbelieving people!” The longer Saint Anthony preached, the larger the multitude of fishes grew. Not a single fish left that place while Saint Anthony spoke to them.

When they heard about this unfolding miracle, the people of the city ran toward the shore. When they saw the miracle for themselves, their hard hearts were pierced. They drew close to Saint Anthony, cast themselves at his feet, and listened closely to his words. The saint then preached the universal truth. He preached with honesty and simplicity, so that he converted all of the unbelievers to the true faith. In addition, all of the devout people were comforted, filled with joy, and confirmed in their own faith. When the preaching was over, Saint Anthony and the people departed the shoreline with many blessings. And he remained in the city for many more days, preaching and gathering a great harvest of souls for the Lord.