Saint Anthony, (Abbot)
17 January
This outstanding father of all monks was born in Egypt about the year 250. After the death of his parents he gave his worldly goods to the poor and went into the desert to live a life of penance. Many became his followers he taught them the way of holiness. He founded a monastery and was the first Abbot to form a rule for his family of monks dedicated to divine service. For this reason he is called the “Patriarch of Monks”. He worked for the church, supporting the confessors or the faith in their suffering during the persecution of Diocletian, and Saint Athanasius in his struggle against the Arians. He died in the year 356.
Lord God,
You bestowed on Saint Anthony
The grace of serving you in the wilderness
By a strange and wonderful way of life.
Grant that through his intercession
We may deny ourselves
And love you above all things.
We make our prayer through our Lord.
Amen.
From the book of “Daily Prayer”
And “The Book of Saints” by Father Lovasik.