Not to be confused with St Francis of Assisi (patron saint of ecology even though he did like to preach to the birds), Saint Anthony Abbot (251-365 CE) is the patron saint of animals. If there’s a Catholic church nearby, today’s parishioners may have paws or feathers or scales, as it is tradition that they be blessed on this feast day! In Siena, the priests of the 17 Contrade will bless the stables so that this year’s Palio horses may have a bit more than just luck on their side.
In art, Anthony usually holds his tau walking stick and is often seen with a porcine companion. In Sienese art you might see the cinta senese, the black-and-white belted pig! Also, did you know that the runt of a pig’s litter is known as a tantony? A small church bell is often called the same thing, as the little piggies would wear bells on the farm!
