Popular tradition tells us that Anthony gave a prayer to a poor woman who sought help against the temptations of the devil. Pope Sixtus V, a Franciscan, engraved this prayer, which is also known as the ‘Motto of St. Anthony’, at the base of the obelisk he erected in St. Peter's Square in Rome. Here it is in the original Latin:
Ecce Crucem Domini!
Fugite partes adversae!
Vicit Leo de tribu Juda,
Radix David! Alleluia!
Translation
Behold the Cross of the Lord!
Be gone all evil powers!
The Lion of the tribe of Judah,
The root of David has conquered! Alleluia!
This short prayer is like a small exorcism. We too can use it - in Latin or in English - to help us overcome temptations.