Below is the most common version used in Goan Catholic homes and churches (transliterated from the Roman Konkani script). It is typically recited after the Rosary or as a stand-alone novena.
The St. Anthony prayer in Konkani preserves both faith and linguistic heritage. The short prayer for lost items and the longer devotional prayer remain central to Konkani Catholic domestic and parish life. For authentic audio or printed booklets, resources like “Devache Ruzanv” (Konkani prayer book) or the Archdiocese of Goa’s publications are recommended.
St. Anthony of Padua—known as the "Wonder Worker" (Ochoriancho Bhokt)—holds a place of deep devotion in the hearts of the Konkani-speaking community, particularly in Goa, Mangalore, and Mumbai. Whether you are searching for a lost item or seeking a miracle for a desperate need, the following Konkani prayers provide a traditional way to ask for his intercession. 1. Most Popular St. Anthony Prayer (Bhov Folladik Magnnem)
This is the standard powerful prayer often recited by Konkani Catholics. It acknowledges St. Anthony’s unique closeness to God and his history of performing miracles.
Konkani Prayer:"He Bhagevonta Sant Anton, bhoktam modem bhov bolea ani movalla... [Full prayer available at 1.2.1]"Translation: "O Blessed St. Anthony, most gentle and loving among the saints; for your love of God..." 2. Prayer for Lost Things (Sandleleo Vostu Mellunk)
St. Anthony is the patron saint of lost articles. In Konkani homes, it is common to invoke him immediately when something goes missing.
Short Prayer: "Sant Antoni Bhokta, sandleli vost mhaka mellun di." (St. Anthony, please help me find what I have lost). 3. St. Anthony's Hymn (Sant Antoni Bhokta)
In Goa, devotions often conclude with this traditional hymn.
"Sant Antoni Bhokta, Finrgianche kulliechea,Tujea gronthar khellta, Ballok Jezu Raza... [Full hymn lyrics found in 1.3.1]" 4. The 13 Tuesdays Devotion (Trezena)
Devotees often observe 13 consecutive Tuesdays, leading up to his feast on June 13th, featuring the Litany of St. Anthony (Ladainha) and the distribution of "St. Anthony’s Bread". Cultural Traditions Prayers to St. Anthony st anthony prayer in konkani language
Beyond the daily prayer for lost keys or spectacles, the Konkani community holds a special, more urgent novena known as the "Thirteen Tuesdays" prayer. This is reserved for desperate situations—a lost job, a broken marriage, a critical illness.
In Konkani, this urgent petition is often recited as:
"Sanv Anton, upkarim mhurum.
Tujea hatantlem bhurgem jevxim,
Mhojem jivit tujea hatant.
Mhaka visor na. Mhojem magnnem aik."
(Saint Anthony, merciful father. Like a child in your hands, my life is in your hands. Do not forget me. Hear my prayer.)
After the Portuguese Inquisition in Goa (1560–1812) and later the forced assimilation policies, Konkani was suppressed. The Catholic Church preserved it within the walls of homes and through prayers like the St. Anthony prayer. To recite it in Konkani is an act of resistance, memory, and cultural pride. Mangalorean Catholics, who fled the captivity of Tipu Sultan in the 18th century, also carried these prayers as their spiritual armor.
To help you understand the prayer better, here are key Konkani words used:
St. Anthony: The Beloved "Rescuer" of the Konkan For generations, St. Anthony of Padua
(Sant Anton) has held a special place in the hearts of the Konkani-speaking community, especially in Goa and Mangalore
. Known as the "Saint of Miracles" and the patron of lost things, he is more than just a religious figure; he is a trusted friend invoked for everything from finding lost keys to praying for rain during a drought. Gomantak Times Bhagevont Antonik Magnnem (Novena Prayer to St. Anthony) Below is the most common version used in
The following is a traditional Konkani prayer used during the
(the 13-day novena) or on Tuesdays, the day dedicated to him. Konkani (Roman Script):
Bhagevont Anton, tujia nanvan... [Full prayer details can be found in source 1.2.5 and 1.4.1] English Meaning:
"Blessed St. Anthony, hearing of the miracles God has worked through your name and intercession, I come before you with great hope... [Full text available in referenced sources 1.2.5]" www.stanthonychurchsiolim.com Popular Devotions and Traditions The Patron of Lost Things: Devotees pray, "Sant Antoni, sandleli vost mellun di"
(St. Anthony, help me find what is lost), honoring the tradition of his lost book being found. The Serpent of Siolim:
In Siolim, Goa, the statue of St. Anthony is unique, showing him holding a serpent, honoring a legend where the saint's intercession stopped a snake from disrupting church construction. St. Anthony’s Bread: On June 13th, blessed bread ( Sant Antonichem Undde ) is distributed, highlighting his connection to charity. Praying for Rain:
In rural areas, the saint's statue is carried in procession to ask for rain during dry seasons.
Praying in Konkani, the mother tongue, adds a deeper sense of intimacy to these petitions. Devanagari script version of this prayer or perhaps a list of Konkani hymns dedicated to St. Anthony? Novena Prayer to St. Anthony
The primary Konkani prayer to St. Anthony , the "Saint of Miracles," is often recited as a Trezena (13-day novena) or on Tuesdays to seek help with lost items, life partners, or difficult favors. Bhov Folladik Magnnem (Very Efficacious Prayer) This traditional prayer is often recited before his image: Beyond the daily prayer for lost keys or
(Translation: I fall on my knees before your image and with all the faith of my heart, I pray to you to grant me this favor, which I need greatly... You are the master of miracles who, while on this earth, performed the greatest miracles with just one word.) The Miracle of the Siolim Snake In Goa, a famous local story involves the St. Anthony’s Church in Siolim
. During its construction in the late 16th century, a deadly snake was repeatedly terrorizing the workers and villagers.
The people turned to St. Anthony for protection, placing his statue near the site. According to local tradition, the saint miraculously tamed the snake, turning the dangerous creature docile so that the church could be completed in peace. To this day, many Goan depictions of St. Anthony show him with a snake tied to his cord, commemorating this specific local miracle. Other Miracles and Traditions
Lost Things: St. Anthony is the patron of finding lost items. In many households, a simple rhyme is used: "Saint Anthony, Saint Anthony, please come around. Something is lost and needs to be found."
St. Anthony’s Bread: A tradition where people promise to donate grain or bread to the poor equal to the weight of a child if their prayer for the child's health is answered.
Prayer for Rain: In Goan villages, if the monsoons are delayed, statues of the saint are carried in a procession to pray for rain. Community Voices on St. Anthony
“Ochorianchia Bhagevont Anton, tuka ulo martoleank tum nam mhonnonai punn tankam sodanch pavunk tum raji asai.” www.stanthonychurchsiolim.com · 5 days ago
“Tony, Tony look around, something is lost and must be found.” Franciscan Friars Cincinnati · 3 years ago Anthony for the upcoming feast on June 13th?
Understanding the context of this prayer in Konkani culture adds depth to the words.