St. Anthony of Padua is revered as the patron saint of lost things and is commonly depicted with the symbolic Infant Jesus in his arms, while holding a lily (symbol of purity and chastity) in one hand and a book of the Gospels in the other. The depiction of St. Anthony holding the Infant Jesus serves as a reminder of the saint's close personal connection with Jesus and the spiritual joy he experienced through his faith.
St. Anthony is commonly invoked by Catholics for the recovery of lost or misplaced items. The act of wearing or carrying a St. Anthony pendant is seen as an expression of devotion to the saint and serves as a reminder of his intercession and assistance in these matters. People who pray to St. Anthony for the return of lost items or the resolution of difficult situations often attribute their successful retrieval or resolution to his intervention.
In summary, the St. Anthony pendant holds great spiritual significance for Catholics and serves as a symbolic representation of faith in St. Anthony's ability to intercede and help in times of need, particularly in the recovery of lost items.