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THE AIME AND OBJECTIVES OF THE SOCIETY ARE: a)To spread devotin to St. Antony and thus stregthen Christian faith and morals . b)To distribute alms to the poor. c) To contribute to the works of charity carried out in St. Antony’s name (bread for the poor,orphans and destitutes). d) To partecipate actively in the various Apostolates of the Church.
HISTORY: (Origin, the approving authority data and venue growt and development till date)
THE ORIGIN OF ST. ANTONY AND THE GUILD(1232)
The Guild of St. Antony of Padua is in international organization with its Headquarters at Crowley Sussex,EnglandUnited Kingdom- now recolated Padua, Italy. The devotion to St. Antony started after the burial of St. Antony on 17th day of june 1231 being Tuesday. St. Antony died on Friday, june13th 1231. He was buried on the followingTuesday 17th. No miracles occurred during the interval, but on the Tuesday his funeral procession was changed into a continuous triunphal ovation on account of the number greatness of the miracles that occurred.
The blind saw,the deaf heard, the dumb spoke and the lame walked again. On that day no one inveked the aid of the Saint without obtining relief. From then on out gratitude, the people consecrated Tuesday to the onor of the Saint. Crowds gathered at his tomb on that day preference, and it was and still is the general belief in Padua that one can obtain on this day whatever is asked of a God through St. Antony. This practice, which had spread far and wide, received a new impetus centuries afterwards. A noble Lady in Bologma in 617 besought a favour from Saint Antony with much fervour. For twenty-two years she had desired in vain that her marriage might be blessed with offspring.
One night she show the Saint in a dream. He said to her: “Visit my shrine in the church of the Franciscan for nine Tuesdays,and you prayers will be heard” . The pius womangladly obeyed the directive of the Saint, and obatined the favour she ardently desired. This happy response to prayer was soon broadcast abroad, and the devotion of the nine days began to be practiced by countless souls. The fervour ofthe faithful, however, was not satisfied with devoting only nine Tuesdays in honour of St. Antony, but gradually the number of tuesdays was increased to thirteen , in remembrance of the date of his blessed death, or rather then date of his birth into eternal glory, which was June 13, 1231.
THE COMING OF THE GUILD TO THE CATHOLIC ARCHDIOCESE OF LAGOS
When Mr. Martin Adenibi Oladapo Ogunleye was an accountancy student in London in 1959, he went to Cowley, Sussex, England, which was then the seat of the conventual’s Franciscan friars, to make enquiries about St. Antony’s Guild. Having declared his interest in St. Antony’s Guild, he was officially appointed the promoter of the Guild of St. Antony for Nigeria on the 15th day of April 1959, in cowley, Sussex, U.K.and a certificatewas issued to this effect. After the headquaerters of the conventual’s Franciscan friary was tranferred from Sussex, England to Padua, Italy, Mr. Martin Ogunleye again travelled to Padua in Italy, to ask for a renewed documentation in connection with his promotership of the Guild in Nigeria, date !5th day of September, 1980, duly signed by the Director General of the Messenger of St. Antony, Fr.Luciano Marini which was effected and confirmed.
GUILD CENTRES IN LAGOS: There was an confirmed report which referred to one first Guild meeting held in Lagos. The report is a follows:The Guild of St. Antony of Padua was first formed in St. Dominic’s Parish, Yaba, with the following as members: Mrs. Kudiah, Mrs. Kofi, Mrs. Kodjo, G. Onwugbenu,(Chief the lju of Nnewi), Mr.& Mrs. Mosanya, Mrs. Lawanson and the Benedict and Abdolas families. The Guild now exists in almost all the Parishes in a Archdiocese of Lagos.
ACTIVITIES OF THE GROUP: Evangelization: a) Weekly Prayer meeting in parishes on Tuesdays. b) Training of Seminarians. c) They organize seminars, retreat and novenas for the spiritual growth of members and non-members. Social: a)They celebrate the feast of the incorruptible tongue of St. Antony every 15th February at zonal levels. b) They celebrate the feast day of St. Antony of Paduaon 13th June every year.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE GROUP: Elegebiliti:Any baptized Catholic is elegible to become a member.
Mode of registration:Thruogh obtaining and filling of membership form available at every parish guilds.
Classes of members: a)Junior Anthonians from ages 3 – 20 years. b) Adult Anthonians from 21 years upward.
Loss of membership: Anthonian burial rite observed/book mass for the departed soul.
IDENTIFICATION OF MEMBERS: Mode of greeting: a) Greeting: Antho. b) Reponse : Padua.
Dressing:Member dress in their uniform during outings or special occasions. Praying: Devotion every Tuesday. Insigna: None. Slogan: Viva Antony or Viva Antho-Padua. Sacred simbol: St. Anthony with enfant Jesus in his arms and a lily.
ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE AND GOVERNMENT: Padua-Italy; than National Guild in Nigeria with tree Provincial Guild: West (Lagos Archdiocese with other eight Archdiocese), North and East Provincial Guilds.
PARISHES AND OUTSATION GROUPS :In Lagos Archdiocese,the Guild exist in more than 60 parishes mass centers with its elected officer in control. All the parish Guilds are coordinated by Lagos Archdiocesan Counsil of the Guild of St. Anthony of Padua with its secretariat at 350Muritala Mohammed Way – Yaba.
ACHIEVEMENT: Universal : a) Publication of international published in Padua for Catholic information and formation beneficial to Catholics and non-Catholics. b) Running of Anthonian charity homes all over the world for the less previleged ones.
Local: a)Many Priests have been trained by the Guild . b) Local magazine is being published in Lagos, Nigeria by name” The Ligth of St. Anthony Magazine”. c) The Societyplais a suppurtive role to the Lagos Archdiocesan Laity Council. PROBLEMS: a) Creation of Diocesan Guild at the newly created Abeokuta Diocese under Lagos ecclesiastical province as not been easy: b)Smooth runnig of Lagos provincial Guild as never been possible.
Challenges: a) The canvas for new members (Evangelization outreach). b) To mobilized the Youths for greater tomorrow Guild . c) To organize Retreat/Seminars/Lectures for members. d) To enhance an increased partecipation in charitable works of St. Anthony. For further information see: TONY A. O. UKAOHA , General Secretary C/O Lay Apostolate Center , Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.