The Way of Saint Anthony of Padua

The Camino di Sant'Antonio it is the official wording of a spiritual experience, of a journey, of a pilgrimage now undertaken and known by many pilgrims and devotees of the Saint. The reference is deliberately to other famous paths of Christianity.

It is an ancient itinerary rediscovered and valued by the Franciscan Friars Minor Conventual (custodians of the three Antonian Sanctuaries of Camposampiero, Arcella and del Santo) since 1995 (the centenary year of the birth of the Saint) for pilgrimages on foot to the Basilica del Santo in Padua, in the desire to repeat what St. Anthony did in the far 1231, when by now close to death, he had himself carried from Camposampiero to Padua on a cart pulled by oxen.

The Way, therefore, departs from the Antonian Sanctuaries of Camposampiero and then connects to another Antonian sanctuary, that of Arcella in Padua where Antonio died.

From there you reach the Basilica del Santo as a final stop.

In circa 25 Km, si toccano dunque tre aree sacre estremamente significative dal punto di vista della devozione antoniana e della fede, ma anche dell’arte e della storia. The Camino di Sant'Antonio largely follows ancient paths undertaken "ab immemore" by many devotees especially from the Camposampiero area who, despite the changing times, have never interrupted the ancient tradition of going on foot to the Saint of Padua to ask for help and support. Thanks to the sensitization carried out at various levels and the simple word of mouth of many people, The Camino di Sant'Antonio appears to have been undertaken in recent years by hundreds of pilgrims and devotees and above all by young people, as the convent archives demonstrate.

Every year then, around the feast of the Saint (generally in the thirteenth year) a youth pilgrimage is proposed (but also open to all pilgrims who wish) with a crescendo of adhesions from various parts of Italy. Another peculiar and fundamental feature of Il Cammino di Sant’Antonio is the fact that its layout is entirely pedestrian. In fact, the itinerary takes place mostly on country dirt roads and embankments (along the Muson river) up to the gates of Padua (Pontevigodarzere), touching the asphalt only for some inevitable crossings. This means that the Camino di Sant'Antonio is extremely safe for pilgrims who travel it on foot or by bicycle, as well as being really interesting for its naturalistic and landscape aspects. The route almost miraculously touches zones and areas that are still poorly urbanized, despite being very close to various towns and the city of Padua itself. Of course, from Pontevigodarzere you have to cross some city districts. An internal cycle and pedestrian route has been identified (especially with respect to the main route that leads from Pontevigodarzere to the Arcella) so as to allow a peaceful and serene passage.

As in the most authentic pilgrimage traditions, the Friars also issue pilgrims departing from Camposampiero with a “Pilgrim's Credential” on which to affix the stamps of the respective Sanctuaries visited. The credential testifies to the pilgrimage made and remains in memory of an unforgettable experience.

Pilgrims who conclude their pilgrimage to the Saint also receive a “cartula”, in the sacristy of the Basilica, a precious certificate/blessing in Latin, signed by the Rector, which officially sanctions the completion of the pilgrimage.