Gift Some Basil for St. Anthony of Padua's Feast Day!

Got basil?

St. Anthony of Padua's feast day is coming up on June 13, and,according to Fisheaters and a number of other resources, among other traditions for this day is "customary to decorate with pots of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) and to give some away to friends with prayers invoking our Saint..."

So, it is a perfect time to plant basil seeds or pot up some basil plants to give away.

Better still, paint pots with symbols of Saint Anthony, such as lilies, fish, a mule, a money chest and human heart, a heart (symbol of Christian charity), a fire (for religious fervor), or the saint himself holding a book, bread, the Infant Jesus and or a lily. Then, fill these with basil plants to give away or decorate your stoop with.

Alternately, make some delicious oil-free, dairy-free basil spread or pesto to share with others.

For the spread, simply process:

• 1 cup tightly packed basil leaves
• 2 cloves peeled garlic
• 1 15-oz can of cannelli beans, drained
• 1 tbsp of water
• 2 tbsp of nutritional yeast
• juice of 1/2 lemon (2-3 tbsp)
• splash of liquid amino acids

For the pesto, process:

• 2 cups of tightly packed basil
• 3 tbsp pine nuts, walnuts, or sunflower seeds
• 3 cloves peeled garlic
• 1-3 tbsp nutritional yeast (depending on how strong a "cheesy" flavor you like)
• 1/2 lemon juiced (2-3 tbsp)
• splash of liquid amino acids
• water by the tbsp as needed for consistency

Enjoy the feast day!

Almighty ever-living God, who gave Saint Anthony of Padua to your people as an outstanding preacher and an intercessor in their need, grant that, with his assistance, as we follow the teachings of the Christian life, we may know your help in every trial. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

~ The Collect

St. Anthony of Padua, pray for us