More on St. Anthony of Padua:

Is it true that St. Anthony's tongue remains incorrupt?
Yes. Anthony was a powerful preacher of the Word of God. Usually, hundreds if not thousands of people would listen to him preach from Scripture. Often, the audience had to gather outdoors, for the churches were not big enough to hold all the people. Some years after Anthony's death, his body was exhumed. Most of his remains had turned to ash, except for part of his jaw, his vocal cords and his tongue. His tongue was still red and supple! A testimony to this great priest's holiness of speech!

Why is St. Anthony considered the Patron Saint of finding Lost Articles?
The only object that Anthony ever revealed much attachment to was a manuscript of the Psalms, in which he had made marginal notes for teaching. When Anthony found this text was missing, he prayed for its return. He had not mislaid it; it had been stolen. Later, a contrite French novice, who had left the friary with the text, returned it, full of repentance. Upon the recovery of this manuscript, hinges Anthony's reputation as a finder of lost objects.

Were St. Francis of Assisi and St. Anthony friends?
St. Francis was born 13 years before Anthony. It is possible they may have met – the first time in Sicily, where Anthony's ship from Morocco took him, when he was sick with fever. The ship, en route to Portugal, was blown off course and eventually landed at Sicily. According to Franciscan history, Francis was on the island about the same time of Anthony's landing. Both were ill. But neither remained there long. Later, St. Francis heard of Anthony's preaching and, as his superior, commissioned Anthony as an itinerant preacher to northern Italy and southern France. Among the writings of St. Francis is a brief note to Anthony: "It is agreeable to me that you should teach the friars sacred theology, so long as they do not extinguish the spirit of prayer and devotedness..."

What are some of the miracles associated with St. Anthony?
Numerous healings through his prayers: of the deaf, mute, and blind, and even at least one account of raising someone from death. A year after his death the pope declared Anthony to be a saint because of all the reported miracles that happened at Anthony's tomb.

On one occasion when his preaching fell on deaf ears, he went to a nearby river and preached to the fish. Apparently, word spread that the fish listened!