Saint Anthony of Egypt (Abbot) a.k.a. Saint Anthony
of the Desert
Father of Christian Monasticism
Patron of Hermits, Monks, Various Skin Diseases,
Cemetery Workers, Grave Diggers, Pig Farmers,
Basket Makers, Brush Makers
St. Anthony was born in Egypt in the year 250. He and his sister
were raised in a Christian family and lived on 200 acres of
beautiful and fertile land. He was a modest and courteous person.
When Anthony was about 20 years old his parents died suddenly. This event obviously
had a major impact on his life. While attending church one day as he commonly did,
Anthony was reflecting on his life and what he was now going to do with it. He was a
young man and had just inherited the land of his parents. On this particular day, he was
thinking about the Apostles and how they’d left everything to follow Jesus. He was
thinking about those persons in the book of Acts who sold everything they had to give the
money to the apostles so they could distribute it to the poor. Ironically when Anthony got
to church, the Gospel reading he heard that day was the words of our Lord to the rich
man when He said; “If you wish to be perfect, go sell what you have, and give to the
poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me.” (This story of the rich
young man is found in Matthew 19: 16-30)
Anthony did just that! He literally “gave away the farm” to the villagers and sold the rest
of his possessions. This brought is a considerable sum of money. Anthony kept just
enough set aside to look after his sister. Then shortly thereafter, when in church again he
heard the words of Our Lord in the Gospel: “Do not be anxious about tomorrow.”
Without hesitating, he gave to the poor all he had left. He then made sure his sister was
taken care of and would be raised in a good convent. Anthony then began his simple,
austere and ascetic life to follow God.
Anthony began learning from some the wisdom of some of
the religious hermits in his area. For his own hermitage,
Anthony found an empty sepulcher (a tomb). After a while
he moved to an old abandoned fort and walled himself up so
that he would have no contact with the outside world.
People who learned about him would throw him food over
the wall. Anthony would only eat a bit of bread and the rest
he would arrange to be given to the poor. For twenty years,
he lived in this old fort and did not see the face of another
human being. During this time his reputation was growing
and many pilgrims actually tried to visit him for guidance
and spiritual direction. Anthony refused to see them. This
went on for a long time until eventually a colony of monks
started to form around him in various caves. They begged Anthony to please come out
and be their spiritual teacher.
Anthony did finally come out to meet the spiritual needs of these new monks. When he
did emerge people were absolutely amazed at how great he looked and what great shape
he was in, and full of energy. Anthony spent the next five or six years as the leader
(Abbot) of these monks. He taught them and organized a great number of them. The
monks made baskets and brushes to provide them with the most basic of needs. This is
why St. Anthony is the patron for those who make baskets and brushes. After completing
the formation of the monks, Anthony left again to resume his life of seclusion. He did,
however, come out of seclusion for a very big reason.
Arian Heresy
In the time of Anthony, a heresy (a fundamental error or untruth about God and religion)
was spreading throughout the Christian church. It was called Arianism. This belief denied
the Divinity of Jesus Christ. Arians believed that the Son of God was greater than man
and earthly creatures but was less than and inferior to God. It denied that the Son of God
is of one substance, nature or essence with God. Therefore, it denied the Holy Trinity.
Anthony preached against this heresy. In 325 the Council of Nicea, which gave us the
Nicene Creed, settled this issue for the Church. The part of the Nicene Creed that
addresses this issue reads: We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son
of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God
from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father.
Anthony spent the remainder of his long life, for the most part, in seclusion in a desert
cave. This time, as opposed to his earlier years, he would visit with pilgrims who came to
see him. He also saw his sister again. She, too, rejected a worldly life and lived happily as
a director of a community of nuns.
Miracles
Anthony helped cure people of various skin diseases.
During the time of his life, many medical treatments for
skin ailments included the use of pork fat. This was
somehow picked up by religious artists, who many years
later, included images of pigs with Saint Anthony. This led
him to be associated as a patron for pigs and
swineherdsmen!
St. Athanasius wrote the life of Saint Anthony and in it he
conveys the story that once when Saint Anthony and some
friends were traveling a long distance to visit some monks,
their water supply ran out. Out of concern for his friends,
the beloved Anthony knelt down in prayer. Suddenly a
clear, bubbling spring of fresh water emerged from the ground. Everyone drank their fill
and also filled their containers. There was plenty of water for them to finish the journey
refreshed!
Anthony died around 356. He lived to be 106 years old.
Some things to think about:
St. Anthony was modest and courteous. These are two very admirable traits that
unfortunately are not always taught, stressed, or promoted much by a large segment of
society and media. It is also not demonstrated like it should be by many of today’s pop
icons.
Too often, it is the opposite that is glorified. Immodesty and rudeness is far too often the
norm of style and behavior among young people and adults.
Modesty, Charity, Gentleness, Kindness, Goodness, Patience are just some of the Fruits
of the Holy Spirit and we should regularly pray to receive these traits and to cherish
them. The way we dress and carry ourselves is a powerful witness to others of our
Catholic faith and we should not take it lightly. Saint Anthony must have been a beautiful
witness and it’s certain his mannerisms helped inspire his fellow monks and the many
pilgrims that came to see him. Remember, being modest doesn’t mean that you’re boring
and being kind and courteous doesn’t mean that you’re a softy. The strongest, most
secure people in the world are those who are modest and courteous, and these traits
certainly are contagious.
A person doesn’t have to be a “star” to be noticed by God and to do His work! And that
includes those working for the Church. Saint Anthony certainly
did not set out to be famous, or legendary, yet his legacy is still
strong over 1700 years later! In his quiet and humble way he
sought out to follow the Lord and just look how God used him
for His purpose. The man who sought a hermit’s life ends up as
the Father of Christian Monasticism! Jesus said, “Whoever
exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself
will be exalted.” Saint Anthony, like so many of the Saints, is a
perfect example of this being true, with the Blessed Mother
being the perfect example.
Our sincere prayer should be to do God’s Holy Will in our lives.
He is the best “vocation counselor.” Following Saint Anthony’s
example of retreating away from the world to pray, might we
spend at least fifteen minutes per day retreating to a quiet place
of prayerful solitude to pray for God to help us discern what
vocation He wants for us?
Resources Used: Patron Saint Index, Liturgy of the Hours, The Holy Bible, Mysteries Marvels Miracles Cruz