Saint Anthony

Anthony was born into an upper-class Catholic home. His parents raised Anthony and his younger sister in a small village in southern Egypt. He received a basic education and was twenty years old when his parents suddenly died. He was left with a large inheritance and the responsibility of caring for his sister. Some months later, Anthony was attending Mass and heard the Gospel story of Jesus’ command to the rich young man: “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven” (Matthew 19:21). As Anthony heard these words, he knew Jesus was speaking directly to him. Shortly after, he gave away most of his property, sold almost everything else, and kept only what he needed to care for himself and his sister. But that’s not exactly what the Lord had commanded! Jesus said that perfection is obtained only if one were to sell everything and give it to the poor.

Not long afterward, Anthony was at Mass once again and heard the Gospel passage, “Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself” (Matthew 6:34). Again, he knew Jesus was speaking directly to him, so he gave away even the little he had saved back, entrusted his sister to the care of some holy women, and entered the desert to live a life of poverty, solitude, prayer, and mortification.

In that harsh desert landscape, the devil attacked him in countless ways. “Think about all the good you could have done with that money you gave away!” These were the words of the evil one, trying to deter Anthony from embracing his unique vocation as a hermit. Then the devil appeared to him in physical form and sent vile creatures to frighten him. Satan tempted Anthony with boredom, laziness, and even appeared as a female temptress to seduce him. Firm in prayer and mortification, Anthony fought off the devil and his manifestations. Though beaten senseless during these spiritual battles, he recovered in the care of some friends who visited him.

After spending fifteen years living in a desert cave once used as a tomb, Anthony retreated even deeper into solitude, spending another twenty years in self-imposed solitary confinement. He ate only bread that friends threw over the wall of the abandoned Roman fort he called home. He never opened his mouth to speak to anyone, for God called him to the unique life of complete solitude.

Eventually, Anthony’s holy example stirred up devotion and admiration in the hearts of others. Though they could not speak to him, many wanted to imitate him. They began to build huts nearby and imitate his vocation. Then, after twenty years of solitude, God directed Anthony to exit his fort and assist the other nearby hermits with their vocations. For the next five years, he instructed the new hermits on how to organize their lives.

Anthony then withdrew once again into seclusion for the last forty-five years of his very long life. However, this time he did accept visitors from time to time and even entered nearby cities to occasionally preach and teach. Most notably, he preached firmly against the rampant Arian heresy, directly opposed the emperor for persecuting Christians, and fearlessly offered himself up to be martyred. God did not grant his desire for martyrdom, however. Instead, Anthony lived to the ripe old age of 105. He made a powerful impact upon the lives of many by his radical obedience to God’s will, through his life devoted to prayer, his embrace of poverty, his courageous preaching against heresy, and his assistance to those daring to live as hermits. He was so influential that another heroic saint of that time, the bishop Saint Athanasius, wrote a biography of Saint Anthony, supplying much of what we know about him today.

Reflection:

• Obedience to God’s Call: Saint Anthony’s life teaches us the importance of listening carefully to God’s call and responding with obedience. Despite his wealth and comfortable life, he felt called to give it all up in order to follow Christ’s teachings. His willingness to leave everything behind shows us that when God calls, we must be ready to respond, no matter the cost.

• Sacrifice and Detachment from Material Things: Anthony’s decision to sell his possessions and live a life of poverty reminds us of the value of detaching ourselves from material wealth. True perfection, as Jesus taught, is achieved not by accumulating things, but by giving them away in service to others. Anthony’s life shows us that happiness and fulfillment do not come from possessions, but from living a life focused on God.

• Strength in the Face of Temptation: Anthony faced many temptations and attacks from the devil, but he remained firm in his faith and prayer. His example teaches us the importance of spiritual strength and persistence in overcoming temptation. We may encounter difficulties and distractions in life, but like Anthony, we must rely on prayer, faith, and determination to resist these forces.

• The Power of Solitude and Prayer: Anthony’s life in the desert was marked by solitude, prayer, and mortification. He teaches us the importance of spending time alone with God in prayer. In a busy world full of distractions, we must find moments of silence and solitude to strengthen our relationship with God and to listen to His guidance.

• Service to Others: Even in his extreme solitude, Anthony’s life was not entirely isolated from others. He cared for his sister, helped other hermits, and later, after years of solitude, taught others how to live the hermitic life. His story reminds us that service to others, whether it’s through teaching, guiding, or simply supporting those in need, is a vital part of living out our faith.

• Courage in the Face of Heresy: Saint Anthony showed great courage when he preached against the Arian heresy and stood firm in his beliefs, even when it meant opposing powerful figures like the emperor. His boldness in speaking the truth teaches us the importance of standing up for our faith, especially when it’s under attack. We must have the courage to speak the truth and defend what we believe in.

• The Value of Community: While Saint Anthony initially lived in total solitude, his example eventually inspired others to follow his way of life. This teaches us the value of community in our spiritual journeys. Even when we live out our individual vocations, we can draw strength and encouragement from others who share the same faith. Community is essential for mutual support and growth.

• Endurance and Patience: Saint Anthony’s life was marked by long periods of solitude, prayer, and work. He did not rush through his spiritual journey, but rather, he endured patiently. His story teaches us that spiritual growth takes time and perseverance. We must be patient with ourselves as we work to grow in faith and obedience to God’s will.

• Embracing God’s Plan for Our Lives: Finally, Anthony’s life teaches us to embrace the unique path God has laid out for us. Whether we are called to a life of solitude like Anthony or to serve others in a different way, we must trust that God has a plan for each of us. When we follow His guidance, we will find purpose, peace, and fulfillment.

Prayer:
Saint Anthony, you heroically embraced the unique vocation you were given by God. You entered into silence and solitude so as to enter more deeply into communion with the Triune God. Please pray for me, that I will learn from your life of prayer and always spend time seeking God in the solitude of prayer each and every day. Saint Anthony, pray for me. Jesus, I trust in You.