Anthony, abbot (251–356)

Biography

Saint Anthony the Great, for the immense influence of his asceticism, both for his charity in caring for his neighbor, and for his strength against the temptations of the devil. But the name that distinguishes him above all is San Antonio Abbot. Abad means "father", and among all abbots, Anthony was the quintessential abbot, the father of the monks. Saint Pachomius had started the movement of converting solitary anchorites into cenobites, grouping them into monasteries of common life. Saint Anthony was chosen by Providence to consolidate cenobitism. Antonio is an exemplary case of taking the Word of God as expressly addressed to each of the listeners. "Today this word is fulfilled among you," Jesus had said. This is how Saint Anthony fulfilled it. His parents had left him a copious inheritance and the responsibility of taking care of his younger sister. One day he entered the church when the priest was reading: "go, sell what you have and give it to the poor." Another day he heard it said: "Do not worry about tomorrow." And he promised to live it without delay. He entrusted his sister to a group of virgins who lived the evangelical counsels, and he left his lands to his neighbors, sold his furniture, stripped himself of everything, broke the chains that held him and went into the desert. The last half century of his life - he lived 105 years - he resided on Mount Colzum, near the Red Sea. A lover of solitude, he lived there in a small laura, between long fasts and prayers, and making mats to avoid falling into idleness. This is how he defended himself against the violent attacks of the demon, who did not leave him a moment of rest. It is the ambiguous value of the desert, a favorable place for the encounter with God and for the temptations of the evil one. Antonio is a magnificent example of overcoming temptations. Many miracles were attributed to him, but he shunned them. To Didymus the Blind, he repeats: "He who can rejoice in having the light of the saints, the light of the soul, should not be pained by not having eyes." He is the Holy Wonderworker who is not only invoked on behalf of men, but also animals, which are still blessed on Saint Anthony's Day in many places. Loaded with merits, famous for his miracles and accompanied by the affection of the multitudes, the Holy Abbot ascended to Heaven on January 17, 356.