He is the patron saint of herdsmen and also the patron of pigs. The smallest pig of a litter was named a Tantony pig in his honour...
Benediction of the Beasts, Church of St Anthony, Rome
This ancient Christian ceremony lasted for some days. Everyone who had a horse, mule or ass, sent them to be blessed at the shrine of St Anthony near Santa Maria Maggiore. A similar custom has traditionally been observed on the same day at Madrid and many any other places...
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