St. Anthony of the Desert, Father of the Church - In Conversation With Mike Aquilina

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St. Anthony of the Desert, Father of the Church – In Conversation With Mike Aquilina

Born: c. 251, Herakleopolis Magna, Egypt
Died: 356, Mount Colzim, Egypt

With Kris and Bruce McGregor, Mike Aquilina discusses the life and influence of St. Anthony of the Desert, a foundational figure in Christian monasticism. St. Anthony, renowned for his deep spirituality and ascetic lifestyle, was inspired by the Gospel’s call to sell all possessions and live in trust of God. His radical commitment led him to the solitude of the Egyptian desert, where he spent decades in prayer and contemplation.

Despite his desire for seclusion, Anthony’s holiness drew pilgrims and disciples, leading to the establishment of monastic communities. Athanasius’ biography of St. Anthony popularized his life, inspiring countless others to embrace the monastic ideal and showcasing Christianity’s transformative power. His simplicity, wisdom, and receptivity to God’s Word made him a spiritual guide, even as he courageously defended the faith against heresies and supported persecuted Christians.

St. Anthony’s life remains a model for attentiveness to God’s Word and living out the grace of the liturgy and the timeless relevance of monastic spirituality, as seen in the ongoing witness of the Desert Fathers in Egypt. The importance of embracing the richness of the Mass, encourages us to approach it with the same devotion and openness that characterized Anthony’s life, allowing the grace of God to transform their everyday experiences.

Discerning Hearts Reflection Questions

The Call to Radical Trust in God: Reflect on how St. Anthony’s willingness to sell all he owned and live entirely dependent on God challenges your own trust in divine providence.
Listening Attentively to God’s Word: Consider how you can cultivate the same attentiveness to Scripture as St. Anthony, allowing it to inspire and direct your daily decisions.
Living as a Witness of Faith: Ponder ways you can emulate St. Anthony’s courage and simplicity in sharing your faith, even in the face of challenges or misunderstandings.
Embracing the Power of the Liturgy: Reflect on how you can approach the Mass with deeper awareness of its transformative grace and significance in your spiritual life.
The Relevance of Monastic Spirituality Today: Explore how the practices of prayer, simplicity, and community from St. Anthony’s life can inspire your own spiritual growth and disciplines.

You can find the Life of St. Anthony by St. Athanasius at the link provided here:

Vita S. Antoni (Life of St. Anthony)

A quote from St. Anthony

“I saw the snares that the enemy spreads out over the world and I said groaning, “What can get through from such snares?” Then I heard a voice saying to me, “Humility.”

Mike Aquilina is a popular author working in the area of Church history, especially patristics, the study of the early Church Fathers.^[1] He is the executive vice-president and trustee of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a Roman Catholic research center based in Steubenville, Ohio. He is a contributing editor of Angelus (magazine) and general editor of the Reclaiming Catholic History Series from Ave Maria Press. He is the author or editor of more than fifty books, including The Fathers of the Church (2006); The Mass of the Early Christians (2007); Living the Mysteries (2003); and What Catholics Believe(1999). He has hosted eleven television series on the Eternal Word Television Network and is a frequent guest commentator on Catholic radio.