Scuola Secondaria di Primo Grado DON MINZONI San Pietro Vernotico (BR) ITALY COMENIUS PROJECT “UNITED TASTES OF EUROPE” 2011/ 2013 Traditions connected to bread

The tradition The tradition of blessing the bread in honor of Saint Anthony and then distribute it in exchange for free donations to be donated to charitable sinks its origin in a miracle attributed to the Saint. Votive bread for St. Anthony

The miracle of the little Tommasino A child of twenty months, named Tomasino, whose parents were in the house next to the church of St. Anthony in Padua, was carelessly left by his mother next to a container of water. When the woman returned home saw that his son's head was downwards into the bottom of the container, while the feet rose above. Screaming she took out the baby, he looked dead. Many people rushed to the place, including some monks in the company of workmen in certain repairs in the church of St. Anthony. Noting that the child was definitely dead, had compassion on the suffering and tears of the mother. However, she recoursed to the intercession of the Blessed Anthony, began to implore his help, and vowed to distribute to the poor, the amount of wheat equal to the weight of the child, if the blessed Anthony had risen. Later the child was restored alive to his mother.

The distribution of the bread On the 13th June,the priest provides for the Blessing of Bread and public distribution in the church after the solemn Mass. The free offers that will be collected through the distribution of blessed bread will be given for charity.