Atrium - St. Anthony of Padua Stained-Glass Window

St. Anthony was born Fernando Martins de Bulhões in Lisbon, Portugal. He chose the name Anthony when he left the Augustinians and joined the Franciscan Order, in honor of St. Anthony the Abbot. He was known for his powerful and effective preaching, which is why he was declared a Doctor of the Church. He was canonized only one year after his death in 1231 by Pope Gregory IX, who had personally known him. This exceptionally fast canonization highlights the widespread belief in his holiness and miracles during his time.

St. Anthony is usually depicted in artwork holding the Infant Jesus. According to a well-known legend, Count Tiso, a benefactor who gave St. Anthony a place to stay for the night, saw St. Anthony in ecstasy holding the Christ Child in his room. St. Anthony asked the Count to keep the vision a secret until after his death.

St. Anthony is also frequently depicted holding a lily because it symbolizes his purity, chastity, and lifelong struggle against sin. The lily is a common symbol of purity in Christian art and tradition. St. Anthony's specific association with the flower is also linked to legends of miraculous flowers blooming in his honor and Pope Leo XIII granting permission to bless lilies in his name.

An often-asked question is: How did St. Anthony become the finder of lost articles?

While staying at a Franciscan friary at Montpellier, France, St. Anthony kept with him a scroll of Psalms that he copied by hand, which had notes and commentary that he used while teaching theology to his students. This was during the 13th century when parchment scrolls were scarce and not easily produced. A young novice who left the Order took the precious scroll with him, causing St. Anthony a great deal of stress. Trusting in God, St. Anthony prayed that the novice would have a change of heart and return the scroll. A short time later, he turned around and gave the scroll back to St. Anthony, asking for his forgiveness. This book is preserved today in the Franciscan friary in Bologna, Italy. After his death, this story became well known, and St. Anthony’s reputation as the finder of lost articles became widespread throughout the world and continues to grow to the present day.

A plaque and relic honoring St. Anthony, the patron saint of lost people, can be found outside the Student Services Department at Roger Bacon.

His Feast Day is June 13th.

The window is in memory of Ron and Carol Dauwe. Ron was a 1953 graduate of Roger Bacon High School and his wife Mary Carol (Morgan) graduated from Our Lady of the Angels in 1956.

Ron’s 1953 yearbook superlative reads: “Merit winner, Religious Council, C.S.M.C….Works at Albers as a stock boy…Liked Civics because it was the most interesting…Ron spends his weekends with Dave and Tom.” Ron passed away at the age of 90 on November 28, 2025.

The Roger Bacon Fine Arts Center (FAC) is named after Carol who passed away on June 13, 2013 at the age of 75. While at OLA, Carol was a member of the band, Math Club, Student Council and Senior Club. Her 1956 yearbook superlative reads as follows: “Curly-haired ‘Mog’ likes pizza and dates…found with Marcia and Jeanie…hopes to get married and rear a family.”

The Dauwe family is a big supporter of the fine arts, was instrumental in the construction of the FAC, and sponsors a fine arts scholarship.