Saint Anthony, Our Patron Saint

    Saint Anthony is known as the Father of Monasticism because of his work in training many Christian men to become monks. Monks are men who live away from the world, in order to achieve closeness with God through prayer and fasting. At the age of 18, after his parents died, Anthony provided for his younger sister and gave away all his worldly goods to the poor and the hungry. He faithfully studied the word of God through much reading, praying, and studying with the kind priests in his Church.

     At the age of 35, he left his home and went to live alone in the Egyptian desert, somewhere between the Nile River and the Red Sea. He only drank water and ate bread as acts of sacrifice to our Lord. All day long he prayed and meditated. He taught many other men about praying and fasting, as they dedicated their lives to the work of Jesus Christ. They lived, prayed, and fasted together as they did God’s work here on earth.

    With God’s help, Saint Anthony and his brother Monks saved the lives of many Christians who were being killed for their belief in Jesus Christ. Anthony worked very hard for Christ, as he witnessed for Him in the things he did each day. Saint Anthony put God on the top of his list, ahead of all his worldly possessions. He always said "yes" when God called. Anthony died on January 17, 356 A.D. at the age of one hundred five.