St. Anthony the Abbot

 Well, we are half-way through November, so it is about time for me to run out of ideas for my Saint posts. Happily, I have the Encyclopedia of Catholic Saints that my sister rescued for me, so I have picked a Saint at random. The book came open to the Feast of St. Antony. Whenever I see St. Antony's name, I think of my friend who is a member of San Antonio Abad parish is Puerto Rico - so this post is for you, Lu!

St. Antony (or Anthony) was a Christian Monk from Egypt. He is distinguished from other Saints named Anthony by various epithets: Anthony the Abbot, Anthony of Egypt, Anthony of the Desert, Anthony the Anchorite, Anthony the Hermit and Anthony of Thebes. He is also known as Anthony the Great. 

Most of what is known about Anthony is from a biography written by Athanasius about 360. Anthony was born in Lower Egypt to wealthy landowner parents about 100 years prior to this biography being written. His parents died when he was about 20, leaving him with the care of an unmarried sister. Upon hearing the Gospel exhortation proclaimed, "If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven." Mt 19:21, he felt a convicting call from God. He gave some of his property away and sold the rest, giving the proceeds to the poor. He placed his sister in the care of a group of Christian virgins and left to live an ascetic life. 

Anthony spent the next 15 years in the area as a disciple of another hermit. He kept a very strict diet, eating only once a day (at most) and consuming only bread, salt and water. The devil afflicted him with boredom, laziness and fantoms of women. He overcame these afflictions with prayer. After 15 years, Anthony decided to withdraw from the habitations of men and remove to a life of absolute solitude. 

At the age of 35, he went into the desert and lived enclosed in an abandoned Roman fort for the next 20 years. Food was thrown to him over the wall. Pilgrims began to visit him, but he refused to see them. Eventually, many would-be disciples established themselves in caves and huts nearby. They begged Anthony to come out and be their guide in the spiritual life. About the year 305, he relented. For about 5-6 years he devoted himself to the instruction and organization of the great body of monks that had gathered around him. After that, he withdrew once again into the desert between the Nile and the Red Sea. Here he spent the last 45 years of his life in seclusion, but not so strict as before as he freely saw those who came to visit him.

Anthony was not the first ascetic or hermit, but he is called the "Father of Monasticism" in Christianity because he organized his disciples into a community and was the inspiration for similar communities in Egypt and elsewhere. He lived to the age of 105.

St. Anthony is the patron of animals, skin diseases, farmers, butchers, basket makers, brush makers, and grave diggers. His Feast Day is January 17. St. Anthony, pray for us.