St . Anthony , Abbot St . Anthony of Egypt , the founder of Christian monasticism whose radical approach to discipleship , permanently impacted the Church . Anthony was born around 251 , to wealthy parents . During this time , the Catholic Church was rapidly spreading its influence throughout the vast expanses of the Roman empire , while the empire remained officially pagan and did not legally recognize the new religion .
Around the year 270 , two great burdens came upon Anthony simultaneously : the deaths of both his parents , and his inheritance of their possessions and property . These simultaneous occurrences prompted Anthony to reevaluate his entire life in light of the principles of the Gospel . Attending church one day , he heard – as if for the first time – Jesus ' exhortation to another rich young man in the Biblical narrative : “ If you wish to be perfect , go , sell your possessions , and give the money to the poor , and you will have treasure in heaven ; then come , follow me .” Anthony told his disciples in later years , that it was as though Christ has spoken those words to him directly . He duly followed the advice of selling everything he owned and donating the proceeds , setting aside a portion to provide for his sister . Although organized monasticism did not yet exist , it was not unknown for Christians to abstain from marriage , divest themselves of possessions to some extent , and live a life focused on prayer and fasting . Anthony ' s sister would eventually join a group of consecrated virgins .
Anthony himself , however , sought a more comprehensive vision of Christian asceticism . He found it among the hermits of the Egyptian desert , individuals who chose to withdraw physically and culturally from the surrounding society in order to devote themselves more fully to God . But these individuals ' radical way of life had not yet become an organized movement . After studying with one of these hermits , Anthony made his own sustained attempt to live alone in a secluded desert location . This first period as a hermit lasted between 13 and 15 years .
Like many saints both before and after him , Anthony became engaged in a type of spiritual combat , against unseen forces seeking to remove him from the way of perfection he had chosen . These conflicts took their toll on Anthony in many respects . When he was around 33 years old , a group of his patrons found him in serious condition , and took him back to a local church to recover . This setback did not dissuade Anthony from his goal of seeking God intensely , and he soon redoubled his efforts by moving to a mountain on the east bank of the Nile river . There , he lived in an abandoned fort , once again subsisting on the charity of those who implored his prayers on their behalf . He attracted not only these benefactors , but a group of inquirers seeking to follow after his example . When he was about 54 , Anthony emerged from his solitude to provide guidance to the growing community of hermits that had become established in his vicinity . Although Anthony had not sought to form such a community , his decision to become its spiritual father – or “ Abbot ”– marked the beginning of monasticism as it is known today .
Anthony himself would live out this monastic calling for another four decades , providing spiritual and practical advice to disciples who would ensure the movement ' s continued existence .
St . Anthony may have been up to 105 years old when he died , sometime between 350 and 356 . In keeping with his instructions , two of his disciples buried his body secretly in an unmarked grave .
Archdiocesan Spirituality Center 2501 Maine Ave , Metairie , LA
Praying Our Goodbyes Book by Joyce Rupp
Join Archdiocesan Spirituality Center Associate Director , Janet Trahan as she facilitates this spirituality of change in our everyday lives . Have you experienced loss , whether it be a job change , the end of a friendship , the death of a loved one , a financial struggle , a mid-life crisis or an extended illness ? Join Janet as together we recognize , ritualize , reflect on and re-orient ourselves … to help heal the hurts caused by goodbyes and the anxieties encountered by change .
Thursday , January 19 , 26 , Feb . 2 , 9 , 16 , 23 , 2017 at the Archdiocesan Spirituality Center , 2501 Maine Avenue , Metairie . Please purchase the book , read the introduction and first chapter . Bring a journal . Cost $ 50.00 ( adjustments can be made ).
Register on the web : http :// asc . arch-no . org , Email : archspirctr @ arch-no . org or call ( 504 ) 861-3254 .
Human Trafficking : Please be aware of the signs of trafficking … http :// polarisproject . org / recognize-signs
And … if you see something , SAY SOMETHING !
It is better to report a suspicious incident & be wrong than to be right & say nothing .
National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline …
888-3737-888 ... Put that number in your cell phone ! A 24 / 7 toll-free hotline for anyone who needs help or knows someone who needs help , or to report a potential human trafficking .
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