A private devotion that grew from the saint's own care for the poor at Padua. The name in its modern form goes back to Louise Bouffier, a shopkeeper at Toulon in 1890, who promised bread for the poor if St Anthony would help her open a lock that would not turn; the alms boxes marked 'St Anthony's Bread' in parish churches descend from that promise. The blessing of bread in honour of St Anthony is provided in the Church's book of blessings and is commonly given on his feast, 13 June.

When you ask St Anthony's intercession, promise something definite for the poor — the price of a loaf, a week's groceries, an offering to the parish food pantry — and give it whether or not you receive what you asked for. Many parishes keep an alms box for St Anthony's Bread; where yours does not, give directly to those who feed the hungry. On his feast, 13 June, bring bread to be blessed if your parish offers the blessing, and share it at the family table. Some keep the older custom of praying to St Anthony on thirteen consecutive Tuesdays leading up to the feast.