The Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee recently celebrated the feast day of Sts. Anthony Zazzaria and Elizabeth of Portugal.

“St. Anthony, a renowned preacher and promoter of Eucharistic adoration, is also known as the founder of the order of priests now known as the Barnabites,” the diocese posted on Facebook. 

Pope Benedict XVI praised St. Anthony as "one of the great figures of Catholic reform in the 1500s,” who was a major contributor “in the renewal of Christian life in an era of profound crisis,” the diocese wrote.

St. Anthony was born in Italy in 1502 and worked as a doctor before being ordained a priest in 1528, Catholic.org says. 

Besides founding the Barnabites, St. Anthony laid the foundation for the establishment of a holy congregation for women, as well as one for married couples, according to Franciscan Media. 

Anthony was inspired by the life and work of St. Paul, Franciscan Media says. He passed away at the age of 36 after falling ill while traveling on a mission of peace. 

“From a young age, St. Anthony displayed an intense devotion to God and a generosity to the poor. Despite his success as a young medical doctor, he discerned a calling to the priesthood,” the diocese said in its posting.

St. Elizabeth of Portugal was born to a royal family in Spain in 1271 and was given away in marriage to the king of Portugal at age 12. Catholic.org reports she was extremely devout, but her husband was not. Eventually, the king believed a lie about Elizabeth and one of her pages, and he was going to have the page killed, but the page stopped to attend Mass and his life was saved. The king realized his error and apologized to Elizabeth, developing a great respect for her. Elizabeth was canonized in 1625 by Pope Urban VIII. 

“Rather than using her royalty status for her own gain, she sought to advance Christ's reign on earth,” the diocese said. “She had a custom of secretly inviting in lepers, whom she would bathe and clothe, even though the law of the land barred them from approaching the castle.”

After King Diniz died in 1325, Elizabeth became a Franciscan of the Third Order and many miracles have been achieved through her intercession, the diocese said, adding, “Sts. Anthony Zaccaria and Elizabeth of Portugal, please pray for us!”