St. Anthony, Abbot

Today is the feast day of St. Anthony, also know as Anthony of Egypt. We can learn a lot from the lives of

St Anthony, Abbot - Jacopo Pontormo - 1519

the Saints and it is a good practice to become familiar with them - what terrific role models they are. Many are patron saints and it is also rewarding to ask for their intercession.

From the Roman Divine Office, Matins, Reading 3:

When Anthony of Egypt entered a church and heard the words of the Gospel, "If you will be perfect, go, sell all that you have and give to the poor," he took them as if said to him personally, thinking that this is how Christ should be obeyed. And so, having sold his family possessions and distributed the money to the poor, he withdrew to the vast solitudes of Egypt. He was so fired with zeal for all virtues that, whenever he saw anyone praiseworthy for excelling in any virtue, he strove to imitate him. None was more disciplined than he, none more watchful. He was so great a terror to the demons that many persons throughout Egypt who were troubled by them were set free merely by invoking Anthony's name. And so. famous for his holiness and his miracles, when he had drawn innumerable other men and women to follow his example, he departed this life in the hundred and fifth Year of his age, on January 17.

St. Anthony of Egypt was born around 251 A.D. and died in 356 A.D. We know most about St. Anthony from a biography of Anthony's life by Athanasius of Alexandria. I read this a long ago and recall it was very interesting. He is the first known ascetic and hermit going into the wilderness. An ascetic practices severe self-discipline and abstention from all forms of indulgence.

He is the patron of skin diseases, basket makers, brushmakers, and gravediggers. Shingles are often called St. Anthony's Fire.

Want to know more?
Wikipedia article here.