January 17 | Saint Anthony of Egypt

Welcome, young history buffs and curious minds, to My Daily Saint, the podcast that digs deep into the incredible lives of the saints, those remarkable people who shaped history and continue to inspire us today. Forget dusty old portraits and boring stories. Today, imagine, just for a second, that you are completely alone. No phone, no friends, no family, no house. You are living inside an abandoned, crumbling tomb in the middle of a graveyard. It is pitch black, and you've been there for 15 years.

Most people would go insane, but the man we are talking about today didn't just survive this. He became a legend because of it. He fought invisible wars in that darkness, battles against fear, loneliness, and, according to history, the devil himself.

This is Saint Anthony of Egypt, also known as Saint Anthony of the Desert. If you met Anthony in the year 271 A.D., you probably would have been jealous of him. He was born in a small village in southern Egypt. His parents were upper-middle-class Catholics, which meant Anthony had a comfortable life, a good home, and a solid future ahead of him. But, when Anthony was just 20 years old, his entire world fell apart. His parents passed away suddenly.

In the blink of an eye, Anthony went from being a regular guy to the head of the household, sitting on a small fortune. With the heavy responsibility of raising his younger sister. He had money. He had land. He had status. But he was restless.

One day, Anthony wandered into Mass. He was probably thinking about finances or his sister's future. But then, the Gospel reading started. It was Matthew 19.21. The priest read the words of Jesus. If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Now, most of us hear that and think, wow, that's intense, and then we go buy a fancy coffee.

Not Anthony. He felt a sudden conviction in his heart that those words were a direct call from God, specifically to him. He didn't hesitate. He immediately sold his property and gave away almost everything he owned, keeping just a tiny bit to survive and take care of his sister. But God wasn't done with him yet. Anthony went back to Mass, and this time he heard Matthew 6.34. Do not worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will take care of itself. That was the final push.

Anthony realized he was still holding back. He knew what he had to do. He gave away every last cent he had left. He made sure his sister was safe and cared for, entrusting her to a local convent. And then, he turned his back on civilization and walked into the desert. He spent 15 years living in that deserted tomb I mentioned earlier. Later, he moved to an old abandoned Roman fort for another 20 years.

While he was locked away, his friends, who clearly missed him, would come to the fort and throw food over the wall to him. He wouldn't speak to them. He remained silent, communing only with God. But he wasn't just sitting there twiddling his thumbs. The historical accounts say Anthony battled temptations from the devil, both spiritual and temporal.

If you ever see a painting of St. Anthony, look for a pig near him. That pig is a symbol of Satan and the temptations he fought off while he was alone in the wild. Here is the irony of St. Anthony's life. He tried harder than anyone in history to get away from people. He lived in tombs. He lived in forts. He refused to talk. And yet, people were so fascinated by his holiness that they flocked to the desert. They built huts right outside his fort, trying to copy his lifestyle.

Anthony, seeing their dedication, finally left his solitude. For five years, he taught these followers how to follow in his footsteps. After those five years, he retreated again, living the rest of his life mostly alone. However, he wasn't afraid to step up when it mattered. He would venture into towns to preach against the Arian heresy, a false teaching that denied the Trinity.

He even offered to be martyred for his faith, though God didn't grant that request. Anthony lived to be 105 years old. Everything we know about him comes from a biography written by one of his disciples, the famous Saint Athanasius. Because he lived such a long and varied life, Saint Anthony has a massive list of people he watches over. He is the patron saint of basket makers, grave diggers, butchers, swine herds, amputees, monks, and farmers.

And, in a funny twist for a guy who walked everywhere, he is also the patron saint of motorists. So, maybe say a prayer to him before your next road trip. Anthony's life was extreme, but it was focused. He cleared out the clutter, literally selling everything so he could hear God's voice.

Today, our clutter is usually digital. It's the notifications, the endless scrolling, and the worry about what tomorrow will bring at work or school. So, channel your inner Saint Anthony. You don't have to move to the desert, but try to find 15 minutes of desert time today.

Turn off your phone. Go into your room. Close the door. Sit in silence. Thank you for joining us on My Daily Saint. We look forward to sharing another incredible story of faith and courage with you tomorrow.