Saints: St. Anthony of the Desert

St. Anthony of the Desert is my confirmation saint. I am a bit ashamed to say that I picked him because my grandfather (who died before I was born) and my uncle were both named Anthony and I liked being named after people. I don't think I did any real research on his life when I picked him and only really knew that he lived alone in the desert and I thought that was kind of cool. I didn't understand fasting and the temptations he had and his battles with demons and the devil!

I had to write a report on his life and I think I got a C on it, mostly because I didn't include his feast day. I am pretty sure that was the worst grade I ever got in religion.

If I were going to do it again, I don't think I would have picked him. Besides the really cool bread and not cutting his nails (he also refused to bathe) we don't have that much in common.

However a few years ago I read his biography by St. Athanasius and St. Anthony started to share his wisdom with me.

He taught me that I need to be able to give up my positions. St. Anthony gave up everything after reading Matthew 19:21 "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."

St. Anthony gave me an example to rid worry from my life. After reading Matthew 6:34, "So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today" he put total trust in God give up the rest of what he had and lived in the desert. He even sold his sister to the convent!

Lastly his life has shown me the importance to withdrawal from the world and spend time alone with God. I love to be with others but I often forget I need to have time to be alone with God. I need to be quite so that he can speak and I can hear his voice .

St. Anthony is the patron God wanted me to have because he challenges me to find balance in my life. It is good for us to have saints that we love because they are like us, but we must also have saints who push us out of our comfort zones. If we are not being challenged we are not growing.

I encourage you to find a saint who challenges you. Maybe find your own desert and pray to God for guidance in choosing one. Feel free to share a saint who challenges you below.

Also if you don't know much about your confirmation saint I encourage you to read everything you can about them. Become an expert in your saint or at least remember his or her feast day.