St. Anthony the Abbot: Feast Day, Patronage & Prayers
Updated: Oct 3
Feast day: January 17 (Memorial of St. Anthony, Abbot)
Patron of: Monks, hermits, and domestic animals.
About St. Anthony the Abbot
St. Anthony of Egypt, called Anthony the Abbot or Anthony the Great, is honored as the father of Christian monasticism. Born around 251 to wealthy Christian parents in Egypt, he was about twenty when he heard the Gospel read in church: "If thou wilt be perfect, go sell what thou hast, and give to the poor." He took the words as spoken to him, gave away his inheritance, provided for his younger sister, and went to live a life of prayer and penance, first near his village and later deep in the desert.
His friend St. Athanasius of Alexandria wrote his Life, which describes his long spiritual struggles against temptation and his deep peace. Disciples gathered around him, and colonies of hermits grew up under his guidance, the beginning of the monastic life that would spread throughout the Church. Twice he left his solitude for Alexandria, once to encourage Christians during persecution and once to support Athanasius against the Arians. He died in 356 at the age of about 105. In the traditional Litany of the Saints he is invoked among the monks and hermits.
Prayers to St. Anthony the Abbot on Daily Catholic Prayers
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