What Is Saint Anthony Bread?

Saint ANTHONY BREAD is a term used for offerings made in thanksgiving to God for blessings received through the prayers of Saint Anthony.  In some places parents make a gift for the poor after placing a newborn child under the protection of Saint Anthony. It is a practice in some churches to bless small loaves of bread on the feast of Saint Anthony and give them to those who want them.

Different legends or stories account for the donation of what is called Saint Anthony Bread. By at least one account it goes back to 1263, when it is said a child drowned near the Basilica of Saint Anthony, which was still being built. The distraught mother faithfully turned to the Saint and vowed to give her child's weight in bread to the poor, if he recovered.  Her prayer and promise were rewarded with the boy’s return to life.

Another reason for the practice is traced back to Louise Bouffier, a shopkeeper in Toulon, France. A locksmith was prepared to break open her shop door after no key would open it.  Bouffier asked the locksmith to try his keys one more time after she prayed and promised to give bread to the poor in honor of Saint Anthony if the door would open without force. The door then opened. After others received favors through the intercession of Saint Anthony, they joined Louise Bouffier in founding the charity of Saint Anthony Bread.

To make an offering to Saint Anthony Bread in thanksgiving for blessings received, you may send your donation designated as Saint Anthony Bread, to

Saint Anthony’s Church

436 Pennington Avenue

Waterford, NJ 08089